STORY 

OF  THE 

One  Hundred  and  First  Ohio 

Infantry. 


r 

*MP- 


ERRATA. 


399 — For  Miner,  Lawrence,  read  LAWRENCE,  MINER 
Page  264,  line  22 — For  'tin'  read  'two.' 
Page  1 6 — For  1864  read  1862. 


STORY 

OF   THE 

One  Hundred  and  First  Ohio 

Infantry. 


A  Grand-daughter  of  the   Regiment. 


H  Memorial  Volume. 


BY 
L.  W.  DAY. 


CLEVELAND,  O.: 

THE  W.  M.  BAYNE  PRINTING  CO., 
1894- 


T)3 


-Co  tbc 

of  tbe  1Rc0iment 

THIS  VOLUME 


FRATERNALLY  DEDICATED. 


Copyrighted  1894  by  L.  W.  Day. 
All  rights  reserved. 


PREFACE. 


Surely  no  apology  is  needed  for  putting  in  permanent 
form  the  history  of  a  Regiment  which,  on  many  fields  of  the 
great  Civil  War,  distinguished  itself  for  gallantry,  heroic 
bravery,  and  unquestioned  patriotism.  The  recounting  of 
the  deeds  of  such  an  organization  of  men  can  in  no  way  de- 
tract from  the  honor  and  glory  of  other  great  Regiments 
engaged  in  the  same  grand  cause  and  doing  equally  effective 
work.  The  Grand  Army  of  the  Nation  was  a  unit,  and 
what  inures  to  the  credit  of  one  Regiment  or  organization, 
adds  to  the  honor  of  all.  That  Grand  Army  came  into  be- 
ing as  by  magic.  Its  object  was  the  crushing  out  of  treason 
and  the  utter  destruction  of  the  great  armies  in  rebellion 
against  the  Old  Flag.  It  was  in  the  field  to  settle  forever 
the  permanency  of  our  form  of  government.  In  the  ac- 
complishment of  these  great  ends,  the  One  Hundred  and 
First  Ohio  was  an  important  and  very  active  factor.  The 
Regiment  was  recruited  in  the  counties  of  Crawford,  Wyan- 
dot,  Seneca,  Huron  and  Erie,  under  the  call  of  the  Presi- 
dent, issued  in  the  summer  of  1862.  There  was  much  en- 
thusiasm, and  the  required  number  of  men  was  soon  raised. 
Camp  was  established  a  Monroeville,  and  here,  on  the  3oth 
of  August,  1862,  the  Regiment  was  formally  mustered  into 
the  service  of  the  United  States,  for  three  years  or  during 
the  war. 

To  give  the  history  of  such  an  organization,  engaged  in 
such  a  stupendous  wrork,  is  a  most  difficult  task.  A  book  of 
a  thousand  pages  were  too  small  to  give  it  well.  The  story 
related  in  the  unambitious  chapters  which  follow,  is  a  simple 
narrative,  told  without  attempt  at  rhetorical  effect,  by 
one  who  marched  in  the  ranks  with  the»boys,  and  who, 

M157449 


L.  W.   DAY, 

COMPANY    E. 

From  photograph  taken  in  1893. 


PREFACE.  VII 

with  them,  endured  the  hardships,  faced  the  dangers 
and  suffered  the  privations  of  the  camp,  the  march  and 
the  field  of  battle.  The  Old  Flag,  powder-stained,  and 
shot  almost  into  shreds,  has  been  assigned  an  honorable 
place  in  the  Flag  Room  of  the  State  House  at  Columbus, 
from  which  it  is  never  removed  except  on  the  occasions  of 
our  reunions,  when  the  boys  proundly  fall  into  line  and 
follow  it  as  in  years  agone.  Though  it  can  never  again  be 
unfurled,  it  teaches  a  lesson  of  Fraternity,  Charity  and 
Loyalty,  doubly  impressive'  because  of  its  story.  Though 
the  writer  was  not  physically  able  to  remain  with  the  Regi- 
ment to  the  finish,  yet  the  temptation  to  continue  to  use 
the  pronoun  "we"  to  the  end  of  the  Story  was  irresistible. 
The  preparation  of  the  manuscript  has  opened  wide  the 
portals  of  memory  and  caused  the  dead  past  to  awake 
and  live  again  in  all  its  magnificent  energy,  while  the 
scenes  of  years  long  gone  go  trooping  by —  a  pageant  of 
surpassing  interest,  premonitory  of  the  strength,  power 
and  greatness  of  a  redeemed  Nation,  the  equal  of  which 
exists  not  on  the  face  of  the  earth. 

A  number  of  the  Comrades  have  given  valuable  assist- 
ance in  the  preparation  of  this  volume.  To  all  these,  pub- 
lic acknowledgment  is  hereby  made.  Especial  thanks  are 
due  and  are  hereby  tendered  General  I.  M.  Kirby,  Surgeon 
T.  M.  Cook,  Comrades  W.  R.  Davis,  Charles  R.  Green, 
Captain  Benjamin  F.  Bryant,  J.  A.  Stewart,  Dr.  J.  A.  Nor- 
ton, Joseph  Van  Nest,  C.  M.  Funk,  Benjamin  T.  Strong, 
Wallace  Stahle,  Norman  D.  Egbert,  William  Dewalt,  and, 
indeed,  many  others,  for  diaries,  war  correspondence,  rem- 
iniscences, and  many  practical  suggestions,  and  to  Librarian 
W.  H.  Brett,  of  the  Cleveland  Public  Library,  and  his 
assistants,  for  many  favors.  The  portraits  and  illustrations 
are,  for  the  most  part,  the  work  of  the  Climax  Photo- 
Engraving  Co.,  Cleveland,  O. 


LIST  OF  ENGRAVINGS. 


PAGK 

A  Grand-daughter  of  the  Regiment Title 

Portrait  of  General  I.  M.  Kirby Frontispiece 

L.  W.  Day 6 

"          Colonel  Leander  Stem 16 

Dr.  Thomas  M.  Cook ' 23 

George  E.  Seney 33 

General  W.  P.  Carlin .__  47 

Captain  James  M.  Roberts 51 

"          James  A.  Stewart 61 

Joshua  B.Davis 65 

Joseph  D.  Reese 73 

"          Lieutenant-Colonel  Moses  F.  Wooster 79 

Lieutenant  John  B.  Biddle 85 

S.  B.  Anway 89 

Lewis  Lowe 95 

Dr.  James  A.  Norton 99 

"           Lieutenant  James  R.  Homer 103 

"          John   Dice 107 

George  S.  McKee 113 

"           Major  Daniel  H.  Fox 119 

Samuel   Sprout 125 

David  E.  Hale -  133 

Dr.  George  S.  Yingling - 139 

Andrew  J.  Schnurr 145 

Hiram  C.  Moderwell 149 

Lieutenant  Isaac  P.  Rule 153 

"           George  F.  Drake 159 

"           Lieutenant-Colonel  John  Messer 163 

"           Captain  George  W.  Hale 167 


LIST  OF  ENGRAVINGS.  ix 

PAGE 

Portrait  of  Benjamin  F.  Strong - 171 

John  Dougherty 181 

"          William  P.  Myers 185 

Major-General  D.  S.  Stanley 191 

Lieutenant-Colonel  B.  B.  McDonald 199 

Captain  James  I.  Neff 205 

"          Joseph  Van  Nest 211 

Charles  R.  Green 217 

"          John  A.  Roberts 223 

Ephraim  Baker 229 

Kenesaw — Limit  of  our  fadvance 234 

Portrait  of  William  N.  Ebersole 241 

General  Nathan  Kimball 247 

Peter  J.  DeWitt 261 

Captain  Lyman   Parcher 277 

Lieutenant  W.R.Davis 289 

Captain  Len.  D.  Smith 299 

The  Battle  of  Nashville 306 

Portrait  of  O.  J.  Benham 311 

Jesse  H.  Hall 315 

William  A.  Kinney 319 

C.  W.  Cunningham 321 

Jay  C.  Smith _  325 

E.  J.    Squire 339 

The  Stem  Monument 354 

Worn  Out  in  the  Service 464 


ORGANIZATION. 


At  the  time  of  muster-in,  August  30,  1862,  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Regiment  was  as  follows: 

FIELD  AND   STAFF. 

LEANDER  STEM Colonel.     LEN.  D.  SMITH Adjutant 

JOHN  FRANZ Lieut.  Colonel.     GEO.  S.  YINGUNG Asst.  Surg. 

MOSES  F.  WOOSTER Major.     WAI/TER  CASWEU<---Asst.  Surg 

THOMAS  M.  COOK Surgeon.     O.  J.  BKNHAM Q.  M.  Sergeant 

GEO.  E.  SENEY--. Quartermaster.     W.  N.  BEER Sergeant  Major 

OLIVER  H.  KENNEDY. -.Chaplain.     WM.  PIERCE Com.  Sergeant 

J.  E.  MATHEWS Hospital  Steward. 

COMPANY     ORGANIZATION. 

COMPANY  A — Captain,    Charles   C.    Calligau ;    Lieutenants,    Asa  R. 
Hillyer  and  Daniel  H.  Fox,  and  88  enlisted  men. 

COMPANY  B— Captain,  Thomas  C.  Feruald ;  Lieutenants,   Steven   P. 
Beckwith  and  Otis  L.  Peck,  and  92  enlisted  men. 

COMPANY  C — Captain,  Bedan  B.  McDonald;  Lieutenants,  Isaac  An- 
derson and  John  B.  Biddle,  and  90  enlisted  men. 

COMPANY  D — Captain,  Henry  G.  Sheldon  ;  Lieutenants,  J.  B.  Curtis 
and  John  M.  Latimer,  and  95  enlisted  men. 

COMPANY  E — Captain,  W.  C.  Parsons ;   Lieutenants,  Lyman  C.  Par- 
cher  and  Robert  D.  Lord,  and  88  enlisted  men. 

COMPANY  F— Captain,  Isaac  M.  Kirby ;  Lieutenants,  Franklin  Pope 
and  Jacob  Newhard,  and  98  enlisted  men. 

COMPANY  G — Captain,  John  Messer;  Lieutenants,  John  P.  Fleming 
and  Horace  D.  Olds,  and  93  enlisted  men. 

COMPANY  H — Captain,  Jesse  Shriver;   Lieutenants,  Herbert  G.  Og- 
den  and  James  I.  Neff,  and  97  enlisted  men. 


ORGANIZATION.  XI 

COMPANY  I— Captain,  Newcomb  M.  Barnes;  Lieutenants,  Robert 
Lysle,  Jr.,  and  Henry  A.  Taggert,  and  97  enlisted  men. 

COMPANY  K — Captain,  Montgomery  Noble  ;  Lieutenants,  Milton  M. 
Ebersole  and  Philip  F.  Clyne,  and  101  enlisted  men. 

The  several  Companies  received  recruits  at  various  times 
as  follows  :  Company  A,  five  ;  Company  B,  four  ;  Company 
D,  two ;  Company  E,  six ;  Company  G,  seventeen  ;  Com- 
pany H,  five  ;  Company  I,  twenty-five,  and  Company  K, 
three,  a  total  of  sixty-seven. 

BRIGADE,    DIVISION    AND    CORPS    ORGANIZATIONS. 

THE  PERRYVIW.E  CAMPAIGN — Carlin's  Brigade,  Mitchell's  Division, 
Gilbert's  Corps.  The  Brigade  was  made  up  of  the  following 
Regiments:  roist  Ohio,  38th  Illinois,  2ist  Illinois,  and  i5th 
Wisconsin, 

THE  STONE'S  RIVER  CAMPAIGN — Carlin's  Brigade,  Davis'  Division 
McCook's  Corps.  The  make-up  of  the  Brigade  was  not  changed. 
Carlin's,  Post's  and  Woodruff's  Brigades  composed  the  Division 

THE  TuUyAHOMA  AND  CHICKAMAUGA  CAMPAIGNS — Carlin's  Brigade, 
Davis'  Division,  McCook's  Corps.  The  make-up  of  the  Brigade 
remained  unchanged.  Carliu's,  Post's  and  Heg's  Brigades  com- 
posed the  Division. 

THE  ATLANTA  AND  SUBSEQUENT  CAMPAIGNS  —  Kirby's  Brigade,* 
Kimball's  Division,  Stanley's  Corps  (the  Fourth).  The  make-up 
of  the  Brigade  was:  The  loist  and  Qoth  Ohio,  2ist  and  38th 
Illinois,  3ist  and  Sist  Indiana,  ist  and  2n4  Kentucky. 


*(Jeneral  Cruft  commanded  the  Uritfade  from  May  3  to  June  10,  IHtU.  General 
Kimball  and  General  Stanley  succeeded  to  Division  and  Corps  commands  on  the 
death  of  General  McPherson,  June  22,  WA. 


LIST  OF  BATTLES  AND  CAMPAIGNS. 


The  following  is  a  list  of  the  more  important  battles 
and  campaigns  in  which  the  One  Hundred  and  First  took 
an  active  and  honorable  part.  The  list  will  bear  consider- 
able extension  : 

The  Perryville  Campaign,  October  1-20,  1862. 

The  Battle  of  Perryville,  Ky.,  October  8,  1862. 

The  Murfreesboro'  Campaign,  December  26,  1862— January  4,  1863. 

The  Battle  of  Nolensville,  or  Knob  Gap,  December  26,  1862. 

The  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862— Jan.  i,  2,  1863. 

The  Tullahoma  Campaign,  June  24-30,  1863. 

Battle  of  Liberty  Gap,  Tenn.,  June  25-27,  1863. 

The  Chickamauga  Campaign,  Augnst  17 — September  22,  1863. 

The  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19-20,  1863. 

The  Atlanta  Campaign,  May  3 — September  6,  1864. 

Tunnel  Hill,  May  8,  1864. 

Rocky  Face  Ridge,  May  9-11,  1864. 

Buzzard's  Roost,  May  n,  1864. 

Battle  of  Resaca,  May  13-16,  1864. 

Kingston,  May  18,  1864. 

Dallas,  May  25-30,  1864. 

Siege  of  Kenesaw,  June  10-30,  1864. 

Pine  Mountain,  June  10-15,  1864. 

Battle  of  Bald  Knob,  June  20-21,  1864. 

The  Storming  of  Kenesaw,  June  27,  1864. 

Chattahoochee  River,  July  6-10,  1864. 

Siege  of  Atlanta,  July  28 — August  25,  1864. 

To  the  West  and  South  of  Atlanta,  August  25 — September  30,  1864. 

Battle  of  Jonesboro',  August  31 — September  i,  1864. 

Battle  of  Lovejoy  Station,  September  2-6,  1864. 

Battle  of  Franklin,  November  30,  1864. 

Battle  of  Nashville,  December  15,  16,  1864. 

Expedition  into  North  Carolina,  March  13 — April,  12,  1865. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 
In  Camp — First  Experiences 17 

CHAPTER   II. 
At  the  Front — September,  1862 22 

CHAPTER   III. 
A  Brief  Retrospect 34 

CHAPTER   IV. 
The  Advance  Upon  Perry ville 39 

CHAPTER  V. 
Battle  of  Perryville 48 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Crab  Orchard  to  Bowling  Green 59 

CHAPTER   VII. 
Bowling  Green  to  Nashville 62 

CHAPTER   VIII. 
Battle  of  Knob  Gap  or  Nolensville 71 

CHAPTER   IX. 
Battle  of  Stone's  River 78 

CHAPTER   X. 
In  Camp  at  Murfreesboro' 115 

CHAPTER   XI. 
Liberty  Gap — Tullahoma  Campaign 129 

CHAPTER   XII. 
Chickamauga  Campaign -   141 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
Battle  of  Chickamauga- __  152 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
The  Atlanta  Campaign— Tunnel  Hill 190 

CHAPTER   XV. 
Rocky  Face 196 

CHAPTER   XVI. 
Battle  of  Resaca 203 

CHAPTER   XVII. 
From  Resaca  to  Etowah — Kingston 210 


XIV  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XVIII.  PACK 

From  the  Etowah  to  Kenesaw — Dallas 213 

CHAPTER  XIX. 
Kenesaw 215 

CHAPTER  XX. 
Bald  Knob 222 

CHAPTER  XXI. 
The  Storming  of  Kenesaw 231 

CHAPTER  XXII. 
Crossing  the  Chattahoochee 237 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 
Atlanta 240 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 
Following  Hood -  268 

CHAPTER  XXV. 
From  Columbia  to  Franklin . 282 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 
The  Battle  of  Franklin 288 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 
The  Battle  of  Nashville 302 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 
In  Camp  at  Huntsville — Expedition  to  N.  Carolina — Muster-Out-  317 


PRISON    EXPERIENCES. 

I. 
Captain  George  W.  Hale * -  331 

II. 
Lieutenant  E.  J.  Squire -  338 

III. 
John  P.  Gestenslager 346 

IV. 
George  Mann ---  348 

V. 
John  H.  Crawford 351 


Death  of  Colonel  Stem -  353 

Death  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Wooster 357 

Roster 360 


The  Story  of  a  Regiment. 


COLONEL  LEANDER  STEM. 

KILLED  AT  BATTLK  OF  STONE'S  RIVER,  DECEMBER  31,  1864. 


STORY   OF   THE 

ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIRST  OHIO. 


CHAPTER  I. 

IN   CAMP — FIRST   EXPERIENCES. 

The  thirtieth  of  August,  1862,  dawned  bright  and  beau- 
tiful, glorious  in  all  that  goes  to  make  a  perfect  day.  From 
early  dawn  our  camp  had  been  astir,  for  on  that  day  we  were 
to  lay  aside — for  a  time  at  least,  and  many  of  us  forever — 
the  garb  of  civil  life,  and,  donning  the  blue,  were  to  become 
the  sworn  and  active  defenders  of  the  old  Flag  and  the 
Nation  which  it  represented.  It  was  a  day  and  an  occasion 
long  to  be  remembered — an  epoch  in  the  lives  of  us  all. 

The  call  of  the  Government  in  the  hour  of  National  dis- 
tress and  danger  for  strong  arms  and  willing  hearts  had 
been  sounded,  and  the  response  of  the  loyal  North  had  been 
so  prompt  and  generous  as  to  be  almost  en  masse.  From 
city,  town  and  country,  strong-limbed,  able-bodied,  deter- 
mined men  left  home  and  kindred  and  business,  and  gave 
themselves -to  the  service  of  the  Nation  in  such  great  num- 
bers as  to  make  it  almost  impossible  to  equip  them.  A 
thousand  such  men,  enthusiastic  and  true,  were  assembled 
at  Monroeville  under  the  old  flag,  ready  to  follow  wherever 
it  might  lead,  and  to  carry  it  wherever  duty  and  loyalty 
might  require.  An  observer  scanning  our  ranks  as  we  stood 
in  line  would  readily  have  seen  that  our  men  came  from 
farm  and  workshop,  office  and  school,  store  and  factory. 


1 8  STORY  OF  THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

The  regiment  was  mustered  into  the  service  of  the 
United  States  as  the  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIRST  OHIO 
VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY,  at  Camp  Monroeville,  Ohio,  on  the 
thirtieth  day  of  August,  1862,  by  Captain  Drake  of  the 
Regular  Army. 

The  ceremony  of  " muster-in"  was  witnessed  by  a  large 
number  of  the  friends  of  the  Regiment,  including  the  wives 
and  families  of  the  officers  and  enlisted  men,  and  others 
attracted  by  the  novelty  of  so  unusual  a  scene.  The  Regi- 
ment was  assembled  without  arms,  in  column,  Company 
front,  with  space  of  fifty  feet  between  Companies.  As  the 
mustering  officer  approached,  each  Company  was  called  to 
attention,  and  with  bared  heads  and  uplifted  right  arms  we 
took  the  oath  of  allegiance  and  service. 

There  were  present  and  in  line  at  time  of  muster-in  977 
officers  and  enlisted  men.  During  the  term  of  service  of 
the  Regiment  sixty-seven  recruits  were  received,  making  a 
total  of  1,044  nien  to  be  accounted  for.  At  the  time  of 
"muster-out"  at  Camp  Harker,  Nashville,  Tennessee,  June 
1 2th,  1865,  there  were  present  and  in  line  only  329  officers 
and  men. 

Of  the  1,044  men  to  be  accounted  for,  86  were  either 
mortally  wounded  or  killed  outright  in  battle  ;  118  died  of 
disease  while  in  the  service ;  34,  while  prisoners  of  war,  died- 
of  wounds,  disease,  ill  treatment  and  exposure,  and  1 1  were 
missing,  concerning  whom  to  this  day  little  or  nothing  is 
definitely  known,  making  a  total  of  249  brave  boys  who 
never  returned.  It  has  proven  an  almost  impossible  task 
to  gather  reliable  information  relative  to  the  death  of  Com- 
rades since  the  war.  Very  many,  however,  have  since  died 
of  wounds  and  disease  contracted  in  the  army. 

After  the  close  of  the  war  the  surviving  comrades  scat- 
tered themselves  over  the  country  far  and  wide,  all  honest, 
law-abiding  citizens  who  fully  appreciated  the  value  of  the 


IN   CAMP  AT   MONROEVILLE.  19 

Union  for  the  life  of  which  they  sacrificed  so  much,  and  who 
still  retain  the  same  inordinate  love  for  the  old  Flag,  "Old 
Glory"  as  we  called  it,  beneath  whose  sacred  folds  so  many 
deeds  of  daring  and  heroism  were  performed,  deeds  inspired 
of  intelligent  patriotism,  sacrifices  freely  made  for  home  and 
country. 

The  scenes  in  and  about  camp  from  day  to  day,  as  the 
various  companies  arrived,  almost  beggar  description. 
Many  of  the  men  had  not  been  much  from  home,  and  to  say 
that  they  were  homesick  is  to  state  the  fact  very  mildly. 
Others,  throwing  off  the  restraints  of  home,  acted  more  like 
wild  colts  than  anything  else.  A  very  large  majority  were, 
however,  steady,  earnest  men,  as  reliable  in  camp  as  out  of 
it.  Our  surroundings  were  utterly  at  variance  with  any  ex- 
perience we  had  ever  had  before,  and  it  took  time  to  get  our 
bearings. 

Captain  Jones  of  the  Regular  Army  was  Commandant  of 
the  Post  until  the  Regiment  was  mustered  in,  and  did  all  in 
his  power  to  meet  the  demands  made  upon  him  by  the  men 
and  officers.  True,  he  was  a  trifle  gruff  sometimes,  but  that 
was  only  amusing,  for  we  considered  ourselves  his  equal. 
We  learned  better  a  little  later  on.  None  of  us,  except  a  few 
who  had  "  seen  service,"  had  any  correct  idea  of  what  we 
ought  to  expect,  or  what  others  had  a  right  to  expect  of  us. 
We  wanted  everything,  wanted  it  right  away,  and  of  the  best 
quality,  and  plenty  of  it.  The  cooking  bothered  us ;  but  to 
simplify  matters,  each  Company  divided  itself  up  into 
"  messes"  often  or  more  men  each,  endeavoring  to  include 
in  each  "  mess  "  some  one  capable  of  running  the  kitchen 
department.  There  were  a  few  notable  successes,  but  there 
were  many  gloomy  failures. 

Our  time  after  reaching  camp  and  before  muster-in,  was 
principally  employed  in  building  barracks,  policing  quarters, 
drilling  in  squads,  jawing  the  cook,  asking  questions,  and 


20  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

breaking  guard.  We  took  turns  standing  guard  in  order 
that  all  might  have  a  chance  to  break  out.  On  the  whole 
we  had  a  very  good  time  at  Monroeville. 

On  the  evening  of  the  3d  of  September  we  were  ordered 
to  be  ready  to  leave  camp  the  next  day.  As  a  matter  of 
course  there  was  much  hurry,  bluster  and  excitement,  with 
not  a  little  confusion.  It  was  an  experience  positively  new 
to  us,  but  one  to  which  we  subsequently  became  quite  ac 
customed. 

"What's  up  !  We  certainly  are  not  ready  for  the  field,'' 
said  a  doughty  officer,  who  rightly  feared  that  he  himself 
was  not  well  up  in  the  tactics. 

"Why  not?"  said  another.  "  We  surely  shall  not  stay 
here  all  summer." 

"Certainly  not,  but  we  can  neither  march,  handle  our 
guns,  nor  cook  our  food."  Then  he  ventured  the  further 
suggestion  that  "We'll  make  a  nice  fist  of  it." 

"We  can  walk  if  we  can't  march ;  we  can  swing  'round 
like  a  gate  if  we  can't  wheel,  and  we  can  starve  if  we  can't 
cook.  We're  all  right  and  shall  leave  here  to-morrow. 
This  is  not  the  only  place  on  earth  where  we  can  drill." 
This  seemed  to  be  a  settler  for  the  little  group. 

Many  of  the  men  had  no  faith  in  the  '  order,'  but  thought 
it  a  cute  plan  to  keep  them  in  camp — a  game  to  bring  the 
Regiment  under  better  subjection,  or  at  the  most  to  cause 
them  to  put  their  affairs  in  better  shape,  that  is,  get  their 
traps  together.  But  most  of  us  believed  the  order  to  be 
genuine,  and  acted  accordingly.  Many  of  the  noisy  fellows 
sang  songs,  told  stories,  played  practical  jokes,  and  broke 
guard  as  usual.  They  were  in  terrible  straits  next  morning. 

The  .eve  of  our  departure  was  spent  by  many  of  the  offi- 
cers and  men  in  camp  with  their  families  and  friends  discuss- 
ing the  proposed  movement, of  the  Regiment,  the  prospects 
of  the  war,  the  welfare  of  the  dear  ones,  to  be  left  at  home. 


IN   CAMP  AT   MONROEVIU,E.  21 

and  such  other  matters  as  the  time  and  circumstances  sug- 
gested. 

"  We  are  to  go  directly  to  the  front,"  said  Col.  Stem,  in 
reply  to  a  query,  "  to  aid  in  repelling  the  rebel  advance  into 
Kentucky.  We  shall  find  plenty  of  work  as  soon  as  we  reach 
the  field, — any  amount  of  active  service  from  the  word  go. 
We  shall  not  all  return,"  said  he,  a  little  later.  "Our  Regi- 
ment is  composed  of  good  men  and  true — men  who  know 
for  what  they  are  fighting,  and  when  the  time  comes,  the 
One  Hundred  and  First  will  give  a  good  account  of  itself, 
but  in  doing  this,  many  must  fall — we  shall  not  all  return." 
It  has  been  suggested  by  some  that  possibly  the  Colonel  had 
a  presentiment  of  his  own  early  death  in  battle.  But  this  is 
very  doubtful.  If  he  had  he  never  for  one  moment  betrayed 
the  slightest  hesitation  or  fear. 

The  sentiments  expressed  by  Col.  Stem  seemed  to  be 
appreciated  and  shared  by  all  present.  The  character  of  the 
rank  and  file  of  the  men  composing  the  Regiment  was  freely 
discussed,  and  highly  commended.  Bach  company  had 
been  recruited  in  a  comparatively  small  territory,  in  conse- 
quence of  which  most  of  the  boys  had  friends  and  acquaint- 
ances in  the  ranks.' 

The  company  drifted  apart  into  little  groups,  some  dis- 
cussing one  subject,  some  another.  Among  the  topics  thus 
discussed  were  the  following:  The  conditon  of  our  army 
in  the  East  under  McClellan  and  Pope  ;  the  movements  of 
Grant  and  Buell ;  the  position  and  influence  of  the  Copper- 
head element  in  the  North ;  the  ability  of  the  North  to  car- 
ry on  the  war ;  the  bad  temper  of  England,  etc. 

At  length  the  company  broke  up  never  again  to  be  united 
on  this  side  of  the  Great  River.  Many  of  the  good-byes 
then  and  there  said  were  forever.  But  the  great  screen  of 
the  future  enabled  each  to  hope  that  he  himself  might  be 
permitted  to  return  to  his  home  and  kindred  after  aiding  to 


22  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

save  his  country  from  the  avalanche  of  treason  that  seemed 
ready  to  engulf  it.  How  little  each  knew  of  the  immediate 
future  !  How  few  comprehended  the  situation  !  How  ter- 
rible the  necessity  that  compelled  law-abiding,  peace-loving 
citizens  to  make  such  sacrifices  !  As  we  slept  that  night — 
our  last  sleep  in  the  peaceful  North  for  many  weary  months 
and  years, — the  very  last  for  many, — we  dreamed  of  home 
and  comfort  and  luxury,  and  of  the  arts  and  allurements  of 
peace.  Often  and  often  in  subsequent  months  and  years, 
under  the  most  trying  and  uncomfortable  circumstances,  we 
dreamed  similar  dreams,  but  they  were  only  dreams — vanish- 
ing in  thin  air  with  the  first  dawn  of  wakefulness.  They 
were  delightful  while  they  lasted,  and  we  greedily  welcomed 
them,  notwithstanding  their  well  known  ephemoral  character. 


CHAPTER  II. 

AT  THE   FRONT — SEPTEMBER,  1862. 

Barly  on  the  morning  of  September  4th,  1862,  the  order 
to  be  ready  to  move  at  once  was  repeated,  and  immediately 
all  set  to  work  in  great  earnest.  At  10  o'clock  the  order  to 
"  fall  in  "  was  given,  and  at  n  o'clock  we  took  the  train  for 
Cincinnati  amid  the  cheers  of  the  crowd,  and  the  tears  and 
sobs  of  our  friends.  There  were  many  sad  partings,  many 
heart-rending  farewells,  much  unutterable  sorrow.  But  our 
hour  had  come,  and  we  rolled  away  toward  the  field  of  our 
future  trials  and  triumphs,  pleased  to  entertain  the  thought 
that  while  we  could  not  all  return,  each  felt  that  he  himself 
might  and  would  come  back. 

Nothing  of  especial  importance  occurred  during  the  day. 
We  talked  and  joked  and  told  stories,  and  sang  songs,  and 
had  a  high  time  generally. 


DR.  THOS.   M.  COOK, 

REGIMENTAL,  AND   BRIGADE   SURGEON. 

From  Photograph  by  Bishop,  1894. 


24  STORY   OF   THK    IOIST   OHIO. 

As  we  were  hurried  forward,  events  of  the  utmost  im- 
portance were  transpiring,  not  only  near  the  point  of  our 
destination,  but  also  in  many  other  sections  of  our  great 
country — events,  the  importance  of  which  we  did  not 
fully  comprehend  at  the  time.  Bursting  through  the  moun- 
tains of  eastern  Kentucky,  the  rebel  General  Kirby  Smith 
was  leading  his  army  across  .the  State,  threatening  Cincin- 
nati and  possibly  Louisville.  Gen.  John  Morgan  had  pre- 
ceded him,  and  had  inflicted  great  damage  on  the  various 
railroad  lines  upon  which  Gen.  Buell  depended  for  supplies. 
At  the  same  time  Gen.  Bragg,  emerging  from  the  moun- 
tains in  the  vicinity  of  Chattanooga,  succeeded  in  elud- 
ing the  vigilance  of  Buell's  outposts,  and  started  on  a 
rapid  march  northward,  turning  Nashville,  and  making 
straight  for  the  Ohio,  having  evidently  either  Cincinnati 
or  Louisville  as  his  objective  point.  Buell,  as  soon  as 
he  could  recover  from  his  surprise  and  collect  his  forces, 
took  to  his  heels,  fully  determined  to  overtake  him,  whip 
him  and  drive  him -back  into  his  congenial  South.  But 
Bragg  had  the  advantage  of  a  splendid  start — a  lead  that 
was  of  incalculable  advantage  to  him.  Buell's  men  were 
good  soldiers  —  they  had  had  great  experience  —  indeed, 
they  were  scarcely  rested  from  their  long  march  from 
Corinth  after  the  fall  of  that  stronghold.  The  race  was 
beautiful  and  exciting  in  the  extreme.  The  rebels  had  the 
lead,  and  they  kept  it  until  one  of  those  unexpected,  un- 
accountable events  occurred  which  surprise  and  astonish 
us,  even  to  this  day.  The  rebel  army  was  glorying  in  its 
success,  both  present  and  prospective,  when,  at  Munfords- 
ville,  they  encountered  a  little  band  of  determined  men. 
They  decided  to  invest  the  place,  and  for  this  purpose  their 
entire  army  was  halted  while  certain  divisions  were  set  to 
the  work  of  capturing  the  little  fort.  They,  of  course,  suc- 
ceeded, but  they  lost  a  day,  a  day  fully  employed  by  Buell 


BRAGG   AND    BUKlvL.  25 

in  lessening  the  distance  between  his  army  and  that  of  his 
antagonist.  The  game  at  Munfordsville  was  not  worth  the 
candle — to  the  Confederates.  Bragg  seemed  to  appreciate 
his  mistake,  but  instead  of  correcting  it  he  proceeded  to 
make  a  still  more  serious  one  a  few  days  later. 

Thus,  as  we  and  many  others  were  hurrying  southward, 
Bragg,  Smith  and  Buell  were  hurrying  northward.  In  the 
East,  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  had  been  busy  but  not  suc- 
cessful. The  second  battle  of  Bull  Run  had  been  fought 
with  disastrous  results.  Portions  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  had  been  engaged  elsewhere,  but  in  no  instance 
had  an  important  victory  been  gained,  nor  had  any  move- 
ment been  made  to  the  decided  advantage  of  the  Union 
cause.  In  the  far  South  victory  hung  in  the  balance,  each 
side  was  afraid  of  the  other,  and  the  Union  cause  was  mak- 
ing progress  very  slowly.  In  Missouri  and  elsewhere  in  the 
West  the  same  state  of  affairs  existed.  It  is  true,  the  Con- 
federates had  scored  no  great  victories.  They  paid  dear  for 
their  Bull  Run  victory,  as  they  did  for  every  other.  But 
they  seemed  to  have  the  advantage  some  way — the  Union 
cause  seemed  to  be  languishing  in  the  field.  Indeed,  these 
were  the  dark  days  of  '62. 

This  advance  of  Bragg,  supported,  as  it  was,  by  Kirby 
Smith,  indicated  new  life  and  energy  in  rebel  circles,  and 
was  correspondingly  depressing  on  the  Union  side.  In  the 
East,  West  and  South  the  Confederates  seemed  to  have  the 
Union  forces  by  the  throat,  while  from  Tennessee  and  Ken- 
tucky they  burst  suddenly  forth  and  rushed  madly  north- 
ward, as  though  they  would  carry  the  war  into  the  "  Free 
States." 

The  foregoing  will  indicate  something  of  the  general 
state  of  affairs  as  we  rolled  rapidly  toward  the  seat  of  war 
that  bright  September  day.  As  a  matter  of  course,  with 
this  ascendency  of  the  Confederate  cause,  the  Copperhead 


26  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

element  of  the  North  began  to  hiss  and  prepare  to  strike 
the  defenders  of  the  old  flag  in  the  back.  But  their  rejoic- 
ing was  only  for  a  day.  The  daring  adventure  of  Bragg  was 
destined  to  ignominious  failure.  In  other  sections  the  Union 
armies  arose,  and,  shaking  off  their  lethargy,  held  the  enemy 
at  a  respectful  distance,  ready  to  fall  heavily  upon  them. 

In  these  dark  hours  the  great  loyal  North  became  ter- 
ribly in  earnest.  With  the  gathering  darkness  came  the 
unwavering  determination  to  roll  back  the  tide  of  treason 
that  was  surging  at  our  very  doors,  no  matter  what  the  cost, 
nor  what  the  hazard.  Regiment  after  regiment  was  hurried 
to  the  front  from  every  loyal  State. 

"  We  are  coming,  Father  Abraham, 
Three  hundred  thousand  strong." 

It  was  a  beautiful  picture — a  demonstration  which  could 
have  occurred  only  in  an  enlightened,  liberty-loving  Nation. 
When  all  things  seemed  to  be  conspiring  against  the  North; 
when  our  armies  were  either  defeated  in  the  field  or  held  in 
check  by  the  insolent  foe;  when  foreign  nations  seemed 
anxious  to  find  some  pretext  for  recognizing  the  "rights"  of 
the  South  ;  when  darkness,  deep  and  appalling,  seemed  to  be 
settling  down  upon  our  cause,  then  it  was  that  the  loyal 
North  nerved  itself  not  only  to  the  task  of  holding  off  the 
invader,  but  of  hurling  him  back,  crippled  and  bleeding,  to 
the  original  haunts  of  treason.  And  much  more  :  it  would 
follow  him  into  these  same  haunts,  and  there  strangle  the 
life  out  of  him  and  his  cause.  It  was  upon  just  such  a  mis- 
sion as  this  that  the  One  Hundred  and  First  was  entering  as 
we  rolled  onward  toward  the  point  at  which  the  shock  of 
contending  armies  would  soon  be  felt. 

We  arrived  at  Cincinnati  about  sunrise  on  the  morning 
of  September  5th,  1862,  partook  of  a  splendid  lunch  prepared 
by  the  loyal  ladies  of  the  city,  crossed  the  Ohio  on  a  pon- 
toon bridge,  and  found  ourselves  in  Dixie  shortly  before 


IN    DIXIK.  27 

noon.  We  gave  a  loud,  long,  defiant  shout  as  we  reached 
the  Southern  shore,  and  at  once  proceeded  to  "  invade  "  the 
sacred  soil  of  Kentucky  for  the  distance  of  about  four  miles 
in  a  southwesterly  direction,  going  into  camp  about  3  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon,  tired  and  dirty.  We  had  not  slept  well  the 
night  before,  so  we  cheerfully  lay  down  on  the  ground, 
which,  under  the  circumstances,  seemed  much  softer  than 
the  straw  at  Monroeville.  We  remained  in  this  place — 
Camp  Stem — until  the  9th,  drilling  and  becoming  accus- 
tomed to  our  new  mode  of  life.  Of  course,  being  green,  we 
were  "put  upon"  more  or  less — scared  and  otherwise 
toughened  to  the  business  in  hand.  We  stood  guard  for  all 
there  was  in  that  kind  of  soldiering,  and  we  often  thought 
there  was  a  great  deal  in  it.  We  had  all  the  necessary  para- 
phernalia, even  to  a  guard-house.  This  guard-house,  lock- 
up, or  prison,  was  not  always  empty.  A  "  prisoner  of  war  " 
frequently  grinned  through  the  logs  and  rails,  of  which  it 
was  constructed. 

Here  we  had  genuine  guns — Austrian  muskets — which 
made  themselves  "  felt "  if  carried  for  an  hour  at  a  time. 
These  muskets  were  terrors,  and  no  mistake — second  cousins 
to  mountain  howitzers.  We  soon  learned  to  "  fall  in  "  in 
pretty  good  shape,  to  mount  guard,  receive  the  "grand 
rounds,"  etc.  Gradually  it  dawned  upon  us  that  the  whole 
thing  meant  business.  It  was  a  difficult  thing  for  us  to 
submit  to  the  commands  of  our  officers,  some  of  whom  we 
knew  well  knew  no  more  about  such  matters  than  we  did. 
We  had  known  them  at  home  and  had  never  thought  of 
being  inferior  to  them,  or  of  submitting  to  their  "  orders." 
To  be  obedient  to  these  men — officers  as  they  were — was  a 
very  hard  lesson  to  learn.  But  we  satisfied  ourselves  by 
resolving  to  lick  them  as  soon  as  the  war  should  end. 

Some  very  amusing  things  occurred.  On  one  occasion 
Captain  McDonald  of  Company  C,  while  making  the  "grand 


28  STORY   OF   THK    IOIST   OHIO. 

rounds,"  came  near  climbing  the  Golden  Stair.  He  refused 
to  give  the  countersign  .to  the  man  on  guard  when  halted, 
saying,  "  Weitz,  you  know  me,  you  know  that  I  am  all  right, 
let  me  pass." 

"Not  without  the  countersign.  Advance  and  give  it," 
bringing  his  gun  to  a  charge. 

"  Don't  make  a  fool  of  yourself,  I'm  the  Officer  of  the 
Day,  and  you  know  it.  Let  me  pass,  I  tell  you,"  and  Mc- 
Donald spoke  in  his  most  authoritative  tones. 

"  I  don't  know  any  man  on  earth,"  said  the  soldier,  "and 
you  can't  pass  without  the  countersign." 

.  McDonald  was  greatly  pleased  at  the  soldier's  knowledge 
of  his  duty,  but  he  decided  to  test  him  still  further.  He 
therefore  tried  to  seize  the  soldier's  gun.  In  this  he  was  a 
little  too  slow,  for  Weitz,  springing  back  a  couple  of  paces, 
brought  his  gun  to  his  face  and  immediately  fired,  carefully 
aiming  so  as  to  do  no  harm,  and  at  the  same  instant  called 
"  Corporal  of  the  Guard !"  McDonald  was  satisfied,  but  the 
soldier  was  not,  and  the  doughty  officer  was  marched  back 
to  headquarters  under  guard.  The  story  of  the  affair  soon 
got  out.  Young  Weitz  was  highly  complimented  for  his 
promptness  and  sturdiness,  but  every  one  grinned  when  Me. 
came  around. 

At  another  time  the  drums  beat  the  long  roll  just  at 
dusk.  Now  we  had  been  taught  that  the  long  roll  meant 
immediate  danger,  and  that  on  hearing  it  at  any  time,  and 
under  any  circumstances,  every  man  must  at  once  arm  him- 
self and  rush  to  his  place  in  the  line  and  be  ready  for  the 
worst, — that  the  long  roll  would  never  be  sounded  unless 
there  was  serious  danger,  etc.  On  this  first  occasion  we  at- 
tempted to  obey  instructions  literally.  Our  line  was  quick- 
ly formed — but  such  a  line !  The  knees  of  some  of  the  boys 
smote  powerfully  together.  Some  rushed  to  the  line  with 
their  guns  only  ;  others  with  belts  and  bayonets  only ;  some 


THE   LONG-ROLL.  29 

could  find  neither  guns  or  belts  ;  others  fell  over  everything 
and  everybody  ;  some  got  the  wrong  man's  traps,  and  still 
others  scarcely  knew  which  was  the  head  of  the  Company. 

To  the  initiated  it  must  have  been  an  amusing  sight. 
The  men  were  affected  variously.  A  few  were  taken  sud- 
denly ill ;  a  few  were  so  excited  that  they  scarcely  knew 
\\hether  they  were  to  walk  or  ride.  One  or  two,  forgetting 
the  direction  to  'fall  in  quickly'  started  off  on  an  indepen- 
dent expedition  of  their  own — presumably  toward  the  front. 
But  to  the  credit  of  the  Regiment,  be  it  said,  the  line  was 
quickly  formed,  and  that  it  was  soon  in  excellent  shape. 
Had  there  been  occasion  for  real  work  the  One  Hundred  and 
First  would  have  given  a  good  account  of  itself,  even  under 
these  circumstances.  It  would  have  shown  the  same  pluck 
and  coolness  that  it  exhibited  at  Perryville  and  Stone's 
River  a  few  months  later.  Of  course,  the  long  roll  on  this 
occasion  was  a  sell.  Some  of  the  boys  were  hot  about  it 
and  vowed  to  whip  somebody  as  soon  as  circumstances 
would  permit.  But  they  soon  got  over  their  huff,  and  as 
far  as  I  know,  no  one  was  ever  whipped  on  this  account. 

These  occasional  scares  were  a  part  of  our  necessary 
drill.  Moreover,  our  officers  were  by  no  means  injured  by 
such  occurrences.  Be  it  known  that  the  officers  were  not 
all  among  the  initiated.  Who  can  recall  these  exciting 
scenes  and  not  feel  an  irresistible  desire  to  smile  !  We  were 
not  sure  where  the  danger  lay,  nor  in  what  it  consisted,— 
but  that  there  was  danger,  real,  close,  and  threatening,  we 
green  chaps  thoroughly  believed.  We  could  not  imagine 
where  the  Johnnies  were  to  come  from,  but  we  believed  they 
wrere  coming.  And  when  a  few  shots — a  part  of  the  same 
game — were  fired  a  short  distance  in  front  of  us,  every  man 
grasped  his  weapon  a  little  tighter,  or  if  he  were  one  of  the 
suddenly  sick,  his  gripe  took  him  a  little  more  sharply. 
One  poor,  trembling  Hibernian  became  so  mixed  up  when 


30  STORY   OF   THK    IOIST   OHIO. 

the  shots  were  fired  that  after  letting  his  gun  fall  once  or 
twice,  he  finally  succeeded  in  throwing  away  his  powder  and 
ramming  the  ball  down  so  tight  that  he  spent  most  of  the 
next  day  in  extracting  it.  Another  poor  fellow  said  to  Cap- 
tain P 

"  If  I  don't  come  out  of  this  alive — " 

"  O  you'll  be  all  right,  just  give  'em ,"  and  then 

turned  away  to  hide  his  mirth. 

It  would  be  interesting  to  know  the  thoughts  that  must 
have  passed  through  the  minds  of  those  who  put  up  this 
game,  knowing  it  to  be  a  great  farce.  How  they  managed 
to  keep  straight  faces  is  a  mystery. 

But  we  lived  and  learned,  though  our  education  seemed 
to  come  to  us  rather  slowly.  Our  Company  drills  were  quite 
awkward  at  first.  If  I  remember  correctly,  some  of  our 
movements  were  more  like  the  game  of  "  crack  the  whip  " 
than  military  evolutions.  But  we  were  kept  unmercifully 
and  everlastingly  at  it.  On  this  point  I  know  my  memory 
is  correct.  We  were  marched  over  logs,  through  ravines, 
around  stumps,  through  the  woods,  over  fences,  into  the 
mud,  until  we  heartily  wished  every  Johnny  in  the  land 
would  go  home  and  mind  his  own  business — we  had  enough 
of  such  warfare.  We  really  lost  our  patience  sometimes, 
and  vowed  to  thrash  the  life  out  of  our  tormentors  on  the 
first  favorable  opportunity.  Our  wrath  was  short  lived.  A 
game  or  two  of  muggins  or  seven-up,  put  the  boys  in  good 
humor  invariably. 

Thus  the  first  few  days  of  our  soldiering  wore  away.  On 
the  morning  of  the  8th  of  September,  we  were  ordered  to 
be  ready  to  move  at  a  moment's  notice.  We  were  on  the 
lookout  for  scares,  and  were  not  able  to  determine  the  na- 
ture of  this  order.  The  camp  was  full  of  rumors,  according 
to  some  of  which,  there  were  rebels  enough  in  the  vicinity 
to  eat  us  up.  We  therefore  decided  to  take  our  chances  and 


THE   SQUIRREL  HUNTERS.  31 

fall  in.  At  nine  o'clock  next  morning  we  moved  camp, 
being  assigned  to  new  quarters  near  Fort  Mitchell.  We 
were  impressed  with  the  strength  of  the  Fort,  and  wondered 
if  we  should  ever  face  such  great  guns  in  actual  combat. 
We  rather  hoped  not. 

While  we  were  thus  drilling  and  gaining  necessary  ex- 
perience, the  people  of  Cincinnati  and  vicinity  had  been 
thrown  a  second  time  into  wild  excitement.  The  first  had 
been  occasioned  by  the  presence  of  the  Rebel  John  Morgan 
in  the  preceding  July.  But  that  danger  had  passed,  and  the 
people  had  begun  to  smile  at  their  fears.  Suddenly,  how- 
ever, Kirby  Smith  at  the  head  of  a  great  army  had  burst 
out  of  the  mountains  of  eastern  Kentucky,  and  was  ap- 
proaching like  a  tornado  across  the  State  toward  Cincinnati, 
carrying  everything  before  him.  The  city  was  not  ready 
for  the  assault  which  seemed  inevitable,  and  disaster  appal- 
ling and  gigantic,  seemed  just  ahead.  At  the  same  time  in- 
formation was  received  to  the  effect  that  Bragg  with  his  en- 
tire army  was  rapidly  approaching  from  the  South,  with 
Buell  following  him  as  rapidly  as  he  could.  All  this  nearly 
palsied  the  people  of  Cincinnati  and  other  river  towns.  The 
Governor  called  for  help,  using  the  telegraph  and  the  daily 
press  for  the  purpose.  The  response  was  overwhelming. 
It  was  thought  that  help  would  be  needed  for  a  few  days 
only,  and  seemingly  the  whole  State  started  for  the  '  front ' 
at  Cincinnati.  Lew  Wallace — true,  tried,  capable  General 
Lew  Wallace,  was  given  the  supreme  command  at  the  point 
of  danger,  and  soon  organized  the  forces  at  his  command 
into  working  parties,  through  whose  efforts  the  city  was 
soon  surrounded  with  a  system  of  forts  and  breastworks 
that  would  have  been  of  excellent  and  sufficient  service  had 
the  rebels  undertaken  to  capture  the  city. 

The  response  to  Governor  Tod's  call  for  special  help 
had  been  so  prompt  and  so  generous  that  the  telegraph  had 


32  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

to  be  called  a  second  time  into  requisition — this  time  to  stop 
the  sending  of  troops — many  that  were  on  the  way  had  to  be 
turned  back.  Had  the  occasion  arisen  these  same  Squirrel 
Hunters  would  have  given  a  good  account  of  themselves. 

Finding  himself  thus  completely  shut  off  from  the  possi- 
bility of  capturing  Cincinnati,  Kirby  Smith,  after  remaining 
two  or  three  days,  withdrew  his  forces  to  the  vicinity  of 
Lexington  and  Frankfort,  and  awaited  the  coming  of  his 
chief.  A  portion  of  our  Regiment  happened  to  be  on  picket 
the  morning  that  Smith's  forces  arrived.  Our  line  was 
fired  upon  by  their  skirmishers,  who  were  three  to  our  one. 
We  returned  the  fire  and  rapidly  fell  back.  It  was  our  first 
sensation  of  being  fired  at,  also  of  firing  at  any  human  being. 
None  of  us  were  struck,  and  I  doubt  if  any  of  them  were. 

The  Confederate  army  had  retired  from  our  front  at  Cin- 
cinnati; the  Squirrel  Hunters  had  been  returned  to  their 
homes  ;  martial  law  had  been  abolished,  and  a  serener  state 
of  affairs  began  to  prevail.  Many  of  the  troops  remained  in 
the  vicinity  of  Cincinnati,  picketing  and  drilling,  ready  to 
resist  any  sudden  dash  the  enemy  might  care  to  make,  but 
most  of  the  regiments  had  been  quietly  transferred  to  Louis- 
ville, that  city  being  Bragg' s  evident  point  of  attack.  By 
means  of  spies,  scouts  and  our  cavalry,  Generals  Wright  and 
Wallace  had  kept  themselves  well  posted  as  to  rebel  move- 
ments and  intentions. 

Our  Regiment  remained  a  few  days  in  the  vicinity  of 
Fort  Mitchell,  doing  its  full  share  of  picketing  and  camp 
duty.  But  on  the  night  of  the  23d  of  September  we  re- 
ceived orders  to  proceed  to  Louisville,  then  the  great  mili- 
tary center  of  the  West.  We  took  the  train  at  midnight, 
coming  in  from  the  picket  line  to  do  so.  Nothing  of  any 
unusual  interest  occurred  until  we  reached  the  town  of 
North  Vernon,  Indiana.  The  ladies  of  this  beautiful  little 
city  had  prepared  a  splendid  lunch  for  us,  to  which  we  did 


GEORGE     E.    SEN  EY, 
QUARTERMASTER. 

From   Photograph  taken  in  1893. 


34  STORY  OF   THK    IOIST  OHIO. 

ample  justice.  It  was  the  last  square  meal  that  many  of  us 
had  for  a  long,  long  time.  After  a  short  delay,  we  were 
again  on  our  way,  reaching  Jeffersonville  shortly  before 
night.  We  crossed  the  river  next  morning,  September 
25th,  and  went  into  camp  east  of  the  city,  just  outside  the 
corporation  limits. 

The  race  with  Bragg  had  about  ended.  Buell's  veterans, 
tired,  ragged  and  disgusted,  were  just  beginning  to  arrive. 
Bragg  had  very  kindly  stepped  aside  and  taken  position  at 
or  near  Bardstown,  thus  allowing  Buell  to  enter  and  occupy 
Louisville.  Why  he  did  this  is  a  mystery  to  this  day. 


CHAPTER   III. 

A   BRIEF   RETROSPECT. 

The  Rebel  General,  Sidney  Johnson,  had  hatched  a 
formidable  plan  of  campaign,  by  which  the  war  was  to  be 
carried  into  the  North,  thus  relieving  the  South  of  a  most 
grievous  burden.  This  was  his  plan: 

He,  General  Johnson,  was  to  surprise  the  Union  army 
under  Grant  at  Pittsburg  Landing  and  destroy  it,  or  at  least 
so  demoralize  it  that  it  would  be  powerless  for  a  considera- 
ble time.  With  his  victorious  forces  he  was  then  to  reclaim 
the  Mississippi,  and  hold  St.  Louis,  Cairo,  and  the  lower 
Ohio,  including  the  navigable  portions  of  the  Tennessee  and 
Cumberland  rivers.  Another  force  was  to  advance  from 
the  vicinity  of  Chattanooga,  upon  Louisville,  while  still 
another  was  to  be  sent  from  Bast  Tennessee  to  threaten 
Cincinnati.  Bach  of  these  columns  was  to  pick  up  large 
numbers  of  volunteers  in  the  country  through  which  it 
marched. 

These  several  columns  were  to  move  so  as  to  strike  the 


CONFEDERATE   SCHEMES.  35 

Ohio  at  as  nearly  the  same  time  as  possible,  so  as  to  confuse 
and  separate  the  Union  forces.  By  rapid  and  pre-arranged 
concentration,  the  Confederate  forces  were  to  unite  and 
force  their  way  across  the  river  and  there  establish  a 
permanent  footing.  But  nothing  could  be  done  until  the 
army  under  Grant  could  be  forced  out  of  the  way.  It  was 
a  fine  scheme,  and  was  by  no  means  impossible.  It  required 
Confederate  co-operation  on  a  vast  scale.  Through  the 
authorities  at  Richmond  it  was  possible  to  secure  this.  The 
weak  part  of  the  whole  scheme  lay  in  the  fact  that  it 
presumed  entirely  too  much  on  the  inactivity  of  the  Union 
forces,  or  the  stupidity  of  the  Northern  commanders. 

With  this  gigantic  plan  in  view,  and  as  the  initial 
move  in  the  game,  Gen.  Johnson  assailed  the  Union  army 
tinder  Grant  at  Shiloh.  How  his  heart  must  have  swelled 
with  inexpressible  satisfaction  as  he  saw  our  lines  doubled 
up  and  beaten  back  in  the  earlier  part  of  that  dreadful 
struggle.  His  death  on  that  bloody  field,  before  the  tide  of 
Union  victory  set  in,  saved  him  the  knowledge  of  the  dire 
disaster  and  demoralized  flight  which  on  the  second  day 
sounded  the  death  knell  of  the  scheme  to  invade  the  North, 
so  far  as  the  initial  move  was  concerned. 

General  Bragg,  who  was  familiar  with  Johnson's  plans, 
and  was  subsequently  appointed  his  successor,  determined 
to  proceed  with  the  execution  of  the  plan,  even  with  the 
Cairo  part  left  out.  He  was  determined  to  "carry  the  war 
into  the  North. ' '  And  he  came  entirely  too  near  succeeding. 
Bragg  deliberately  threw  sand  in  Buell's  eyes  and  then  ran 
away  from  him,  before  Buell  could  see  what  was  up.  It 
was  an  exciting  time.  From  the  east,  pouring  out  through 
the  mountains  came  General  Kirby  Smith,  rushing  headlong 
toward  Lexington  and  Frankfort,  stumbling  over  Nelson  at 
Richmond  and  whipping  him,  then  turning  north  he  sat 
down  for  a  few  days  in  front  of  Covington  opposite  Cin- 


36  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

cinnati,  as  has  been  detailed  in  the  preceding  pages.  At 
the  same  time,  General  Bragg  came  rushing  up  from 
southeastern  Tennessee,  aiming  straight  for  Louisville. 
Buell  got  himself  together  instantly  and  took  after  him. 
Bragg  was  so  intoxicated  with  the  greatness  of  his  under- 
taking, and  with  the  nattering  prospects  of  success,  that  he 
did  two  of  the  most  foolish  things  that  could  well  be 
thought  of, — two  things  for  which  we  should  not  cease  to 
give  thanks:  ist — He  stopped  a  whole  day  to  conquer  a 
little  handful  of  brave  men  at  Munfordsville,  which 
enabled  Buell  to  come  within  menacing  and  maneuvering 
distance,  and  2nd,  he  deliberately  turned  aside  and  took 
position  near  Bardstown,  thus  allowing  Buell  to  pass  him 
and  enter  Louisville.  Why  he  thus  turned  aside,  yielding, 
unforced,  all  the  advantage  he  had  gained,  and  putting 
himself  on  the  defensive,  when  he  might  have  crushed  his 
antagonist,  and  probably  seized  the  objective  point  of  the 
campaign,  is  a  question  which  the  Lord  only  can  answer — 
surely  Bragg  never  could.  But  it  was  extremely  good 
of  him  to  do  so.  The  act,  however,  was  that  of  an  idiot. 
A  very  similar  event  occurred  later  when  Hood  permitted 
Schofield  to  pass  within  musket-shot  of  his  army,  and  enter 
Franklin  before  him.  This  was  another  piece  of  idiocy, 
for  which  we  have  great  reason  to  be  thankful. 

As  previously  stated,  Buell's  army  was  just  entering 
Louisville  from  the  South  as  we  entered  it  from  the  North. 
The  boys  were  a  sorry  looking  set — brown,  dirty,  ragged, 
long-haired,  disgusted — well  they  surprised  us.  We  assured 
them  that  while  we  had  not  lost  all  confidence  in  them,  yet 
we  could  not  excuse  them  for  letting  themselves  run  down 
so.  They  smiled  a  very  bitter  smile,  hovering  between  pity 
and  contempt  when  we  informed  them  that  each  mess  with 
us  carried  a  dust  brush,  and  that  we  should  use  it.  They 
seemed  to  take  delight  in  rubbing  against  us,  and  especially 


THE   TABLES   ARE   TURNED.  37 

in  turning  up  their  blouse  collars  and  showing  us  what 
could  there  be  seen.  We  were  disgusted  that  the  boys  who 
were  fighting  for  the  old  Flag,  for  Home  and  Country,  and 
all  that,  should  allow  themselves  to  be  in  that  plight.  But 
it  was  not  long  until  we  "  knew  how  it  was  ourselves." 

The  great  race  for  the  North  between  the  armies  of 
Bragg  and  Buell  had  ended — the  '  invasion  '  was  a  failure, 
and  Gen.  Sidney  Johnson's  great  scheme  for  transferring 
the  seat  of  war  into  the  North  was  as  dead  as  was  the 
General  himself. 

The  North  breathed  easier,  but  figuratively  speaking, 
rolled  up  its  sleeves  and  resolved  that,  cost  what  it  would, 
Bragg  should  be  destroyed,  or  at  least  he  should  be  hustled 
out  of  Kentucky  in  the  shortest  time,  and  in  the  most 
unceremonious  manner  possible.  The  brave  boys  who  had 
marched  from  Louisville  to  Nashville,  from  Nashville  to 
Shiloh,  from  Shiloh  to  Corinth,  from  Corinth  to  the  vicinity 
of  Chattanooga,  and  from  there  back  to  Louisville,  were 
about  to  begin  over  again,  having  a  great  Confederate  army 
to  drive  in  front  of  them.  On  the  recent  march  they  had 
simply  tried  to  follow  Bragg,  straining  every  nerve  to  catch 
up  and  if  possible  whip  him.  But  Bragg  did  not  care  to  be 
whipped  nor  to  whip  any  one  else.  He  was  simply  going  to 
invade  the  North.  He  seemed  to  have  forgotten  that 
Buell's  boys  wrould  have  a  vote  on  that  matter. 

But  our  army  had  a  different  problem  on  its  hands 
now — Bragg  would  have  to  be  destroyed  or  driven  out 
of  the  State.  The  boys  as  well  as  the  officers  seemed  to 
appreciate  the  difference,  and  bravely  girded  themselves  for 
the  task.  How  discouraging  it  must  have  seemed  to 
Buell's  brave  old  fellows.  The  work  of  a  year  was  appar- 
ently undone  in  a  fortnight.  We  new  fellows  did  not  fully 
appreciate  the  matter  for  we  could  not  comprehend  at  that 
time  what  forced  marches,  half  rations  and  life  in  the  field 


38  STORY   OF   THK    10 1ST   OHIO. 

really  meant — though  we  thought  we  did.  Our  practical 
experience  during  the  months  and  years  that  followed, 
materially  differed  from  the  pictures  we  had  drawn.  But 
we  were  on  deck  ready  to  do  our  best.  To  a  great  degree, 
I  am  persuaded,  we  comprehended  the  situation  along  the 
whole  line.  We  knew  that  Bragg's  temporary  success  had 
forced  our  left, — that  is,  the  left  of  our  Western  army  back 
to  the  Ohio,  but  we  also  knew  that  we  still  held  Nashville, 
that  "Old  Rosy"  (although  we  knew  little  of  him  at  that 
time),  was  keeping  Price  and  Van  Dorn  busy,  in  the  vicinity 
of  luka,  that  Grant  was  immovable  at  Corinth  and 
Memphis,  and  that  if  we  could  crush  the  impertinent  host 
under  Bragg  or  force  it  back  into  the  South,  things  would 
be  in  good  shape  again.  We  trusted  in  Rosecrans  and 
Grant,  shouldered  our  Austrian  muskets  and  were  ready  to 
"  go  for  Bragg."  We  went,  but  found  the  going  pretty  hard. 

While  Bragg  and  Buell  were  racing,  Rosecrans  had 
whipped  the  Confederates  in  his  neighborhood  into  com- 
parative decency ;  Grant  had  secured  the  absolute  control 
of  the  Mississippi  as  far  south  as  Memphis ;  our  army  held 
on  to  Nashville  with  a  grip  that  boded  only  evil  to  any 
Confederate  force  that  might  care  to  dispute  our  ownership, 
and  west  of  the  great  River  the  war  had  degenerated  into 
contests  between  bands  and  commands  that  were  more  or 
less  predatory  in  character.  In  the  East  our  army  was 
rather  more  than  holding  its  own,  and  in  the  far  South  we 
were  tightening  our  grip.  In  other  words  we  were  going 
at  the  Confederates  from  every  direction,  tooth  and  nail. 
Uncle  Sam  was  going  in  to  win.  But  he  had  undertaken  a 
very  large  contract  and  the  goods  would  be  hard  to  deliver. 

In  order  to  unify  the  work  of  all  the  armies,  General  Hal- 
leek,  who  had  been  in  command  at  Corinth,  was  called  to 
Washington,  and  assigned  as  Commander-in-Chief.  He  was 
a  fine  soldier  on  paper  and  in  books,  but  was  of  no  special 


PERRYVILIvE   CAMPAIGN.  39 

use  in  any  other  capacity.     One  great  trouble  with  Halleck 
was  he  did  not  correctly  appreciate  his  own  uselessness. 


CHAPTER   IV. 

THE   ADVANCE   UPON   PERRYVILLE. 

We  remained  in  camp  at  Louisville  until  the  morning  of 
the  first  of  October,  (1862),  when  we  broke  camp  and  began 
the  long  tramp  after  Bragg.  We  did  but  little  picketing 
while  here,  though  we  took  our  turn.  But  we  had  what 
seemed  to  be  a  never-ending  tussle  with  the  manual  of 
arms.  We  "ordered  arms,"  "shouldered  arms,"  "presented 
arms,"  "reversed  arms,"  and  "stacked  arms,"  and  then 
repeated  the  whole  thing  until  we  were  ready  to  "  fire  "  not 
only  our  "  arms  "  but  our  officers  and  every  one  else  respon- 
sible for  such  disagreeable  business.  Our  "rifles,"  the 
Austrian  muskets,  weighed  seemingly,  a  ton,  before  the 
drill  was  ended.  As  a  respite  we  were  sure  to  have  a  dose 
of  "load  in  seven  times — load."  Then  came  practice  in 
firing,  sometimes  by  rank,  sometimes  by  squad,  sometimes 
by  company.  My  shoulders  ache  yet  when  I  think  of  it. 

"  Ready aim "    then  the   wretch   in   charge  of   us 

would  deliberate!}^  walk  up  and  down  the  line,  raising  the 
muzzle  of  one  gun,  depressing  another,  correcting  the  position 
of  this  one  or  that,  until  our  arms  and  shoulders  would  ache 
as  though  a  team  of  horses  had  been  tugging  at  them.  This 
drill  as  frequently  conducted  was  a  great  outrage.  Think 
of  holding  an  old  Austrian  musket — a  regular  i2-pounder, 
at  a  steady  "  aim."  It  took  a  good  deal  of  muscle  to  get 
the  thing  out  straight  even  long  enough  to  pull  the  trigger. 
There  is  no  denying  it — the  boys  did  say  bad  words  some- 
times, when  this  performance  was  being  enacted.  Then 


40  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

came  the  marching,  well,  we  were  rapidly  coming  to  be 
machines.  We  could  fall  in  in  regular  order,  the 
Sergeant  could  call  the  Company  roll  without  the  written 
list  of  names,  we  could  get  up  when  the  reveille  sounded, 
could  go  for  a  ' '  p-i-11  and  a  p-o- w-der  ' '  when  the  surgeon 
called,  (especially  if  it  were  our  turn  to  go  on  police  duty), 
and  we  could  go  through  with  many  of  the  Company  evolu- 
tions, but  we  did  not  like  to.  Ho\vever,  our  dislikes  did  not 
go  for  much.  We  were  exercised  in  great  shape  The  only 
thing  about  this  drill  that  we  enjoyed  was  to  see  the  officers 
who  drilled  us,  step  into  holes  and  fall  over  logs  as  they 
backed  around  in  order  to  watch  us,  and  then  get  mad  and 
charge  the  whole  thing  to  our  mistakes.  Ordinarily  the 
drill  master  was  about  as  badly  "bio wed"  as  the  boys 
were,  at  the  end  of  the  seance.  I  have  actually  seen  the  boys 
so  tired  that  they  did  not  care  to  play  "  muggins,"  and  I 
assure  you  they  were  pretty  far  gone  when  they  had  reached 
that  stage.  After  all,  the  drilling  was  all  right,  and  we  should 
have  had  more  of  it.  But  we  did  not  think  so  at  that  time. 
Long  before  the  war  ended,  we  forgave  our  officers  and 
abandoned  the  idea  of  "  licking  "  them  on  our  return  home. 
More  than  thirty  years  have  rolled  into  eternity  since  that 
time  and  yet  these  little  insignificant  events  that  took  place 
in  our  early  soldiering  seem  to  stand  out  almost  as  clearly 
on  memory's  page  as  do  the  infinitely  greater  events  that 
transpired  in  the  later  years  of  the  war. 

Before  entering  upon  the  campaign  against  Bragg  who 
still  remained  at  and  near  Bardstown,  it  became  necessary 
for  Buell  to  reorganize  his  army  so  as  to  include  the  many 
new7  regiments  just  arrived,  in  brigades  and  commands  with 
the  old  troops.  In  this  reorganization,  our  Regiment  was 
assigned  to  Carlin's  Brigade,  of  Mitchell's  Division,  Gilbert's 
Corps.  The  entire  army  was  made  up  of  three  corps — 
the  First  under  the  command  of  Gen.  A.  McD.  McCook,  the 


BREAKING    CAMP.  41 

Second  under  General  Crittenden,  and  the  Third  under  Gen- 
eral Gilbert.  General  Thomas  was  announced  as  second  in 
command.  This  reorganization  had  been  made  in  an 
exceedingly  brief  time.  Buell's  last  regiments  did  not 
reach  Louisville  until  the  2gth,  and  yet  he  was  ready  for  the 
field  on  the  3oth.  We  did  not,  however,  move  until  the 
next  day. 

On  the  morning  of  October  ist,  we  broke  camp  and  took 
the  field  against  Bragg,  advancing  in  five  columns.  Gen- 
eral Sill  with  one  Division  was  to  move  along  our  left  so  as 
to  hold  Kirby  Smith  at  or  near  Frankfort,  while  the  remain- 
der of  our  army  assailed  Bragg  at  Bardstown  or  wherever  he 
should  make  a  stand.  It  was  excedingly  desirable  to  keep 
these  two  rebel  commands  separated. 

General  Bragg,  leaving  his  army  at  Bardstown  under  the 
command  of  General  Polk,  went  on  the  very  day  that  we  left 
Louisville,  across  to  Lexington  for  the  purpose  of  assisting 
in  the  ceremony  of  installing  a  provisional  Governor  of  the 
State.  He  seemed  to  have  his  heart  set  on  this.  Polk  had 
been  directed  to  fall  back  slowly  and  in  good  order  to 
Bryantsville  just  east  of  the  Kentucky  river,  distant  about 
40  miles.  General  Sill's  sudden  appearance  before  Frankfort 
effectually  quieted  the  installation  of  the  new  Govenor. 
Smith  had  his  hands  full  to  keep  Sill  out  of  his  camp. 

When  Bragg  discovered  that  Buell  was  moving  in  force, 
he  ordered  General  Polk  to  change  his  line  and  march  into 
the  vicinity  of  Lexington.  But  Polk  deliberately  disobeyed, 
and  held  to  his  original  course.  This  so  angered  General 
Bragg  that  with  his  staff  he  rode  over  to  Polk's  head- 
quarters and  ordered  a  halt.  The  new  Governor  seems  to 
have  been  forgotten,  and  was  left  to  shift  for  himself.  By 
this  time  Polk's  army  had  reached  a  point  some  distance 
east  of  Perry ville.  Bragg  ordered  him  to  concentrate  his 
forces  at  the  latter  place  for  battle,  though  it  was  probably 


42  STORY    OF   THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

not  his  intention  to  bring  on  a  general  engagement,  but 
simply  to  delay  Buell's  advance  as  long  as  possible,  so  as  to 
get  his  trains  out  of  the  way.  Polk  was  obliged  to  obey, 
and  the  concentration  was  affected  without  further  delay. 
Polk  was  guilty  of  another  act  of  disobedience  on  the 
morning  of  the  battle. 

It  is  true  that  our  army  was  separated  into  five  columns 
in  the  march  from  Louisville,  but  the  several  columns  were 
always  within  supporting  distance  of  each  other.  Bragg 
supposed  them  to  be  nearly  sixty  miles  apart,  and  when  he 
ordered  Polk  to  march  toward  Frankfort  and  Lexington,  he 
thought  he  might  defeat  Buell's  army  in  detail — he  would 
crush  Sill,  then  he  would  fall  upon  one  column  after  another 
and  finish  the  work  in  that  way. 

The  departure  of  our  army  on  that  beautiful  first  day  of 
October,  1862,  must  have  been  a  grand  sight.  In  five 
magnificent  columns  it  poured  southward  for  the  express 
purpose  of  giving  battle  to  an  army  equal  in  size  and  almost 
within  hearing  distance.  The  enemy's  pickets  were  encoun- 
tered soon  after  leaving  Louisville  and  the  advance  of  each 
column  of  our  army  was  in  the  face  of  the  enemy's  scouts, 
and  strong  parties  sent  out  for  the  purpose  of  observation. 

Looking  back  to  that  time  it  seems  quite  strange  that 
we  did  not  more  clearly  appreciate  the  fact  that  our  forces 
would  not  long  remain  at  Louisville.  The  prospective  move- 
ments of  the  army  did  not  disturb  us  much,  though  we 
discussed  the  matter  to  some  extent.  But  when  the  order 
came  to  move,  we  were  not  ready  for  it.  We  had  made 
some  preparations  for  the  future,  for  we  had  filled  our  knap- 
sacks full  of  blankets,  clothing  and  many  other  articles  that 
would  be  convenient  about  the  camp.  They  were  crowded 
to  their  utmost  capacity.  The  "  old  boys  "  made  fun  of  us. 
Our  officers  suggested  that  we  lighten  our  loads  in  some 
way,  but  we  "  knew  our  business,"  and  needed  none  of  their 


UNCOMFORTABLE   EXPERIENCES.  43 

help.  A  number  of  old  soldiers  volunteered  and  very 
materially  lightened  some  of  our  stores  before  morning. 
Some  of  our  knapsacks  resembled  freshly  supplied  peddler's 
packs.  Fully  rigged  and  ready  for  the  march,  we  must 
have  presented  a  very  unique  appearance.  But  as  long  as 
we  were  satisfied,  it  was  nobody's  business.  That's  what 
we  told  the  old  boys. 

At  last  we  were  on  our  way,  and  though  we  marched 
only  six  miles  that  day,  many  a  knapsack  wrabbled  quite  a 
good  deal  before  its  carrier  reached  camp.  The  day's  ex- 
perience wasn't  very  funny  after  all.  We  slept  well  and 
were  ready  for  business  next  morning.  It  was  slightly 
funny  to  see  each  man  standing  or  leaning  at  an  angle  meas- 
ured by  the  weight  of  his  knapsack.  We  trudged  across  the 
fields,  over  fences  and  through  the  woods  into  camp  about 
sixteen  miles  from  Louisville  that  night.  But  the  boys  did 
not  all  go  in  together.  They  kept  coming  in  till  midnight. 
The  old  regiments  stood  the  march  better  for  two  reasons  : 
they  were  used  to  it,  and  they  were  marching  "  light,"  that 
is,  they  carried  nothing  unnecessary.  Each  had  a  rubber 
blanket,  a  "poncho,"  and  a  woolen  bknket.  We  did  not 
look  with  favor  on  such  an  outfit,  but  when  we  went  into 
camp  that  night  we  began  to  discuss  the  merits  of  the  case. 
Within  a  few  days  we  had  discarded  every  superfluous  arti- 
cle sending  the  same  back  to  Louisville  for  storage.  Many 
of  the  boys  never  heard  from  these  bundles  again,  though 
some  of  the  companies  received  them  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky., 
early  in  November.  Relieved  of  this  surplus  weight,  we 
were  able  to  maintain  our  place  in  the  line  of  march  with 
much  greater  ease. 

On  the  second  or  third  night  out  we  wrere  so  unfortunate 
as  to  halt  and  go  into  camp  wrhere  a  regiment  of  Confeder- 
ates had  been  encamped  a  short  time  before.  In  the  morn- 
ing we  found  ourselves  fairly  alive  and  swarming  with  that 


44  STORY   OF  THK    IOIST   OHIO. 

infernal  army  pest,  the  grayback.  They  were  so  numer- 
ous that  it  was  not  necessary  to  turn  up  our  coat  collars  to  find 
them.  How  the  old  boys  did  enjoy  our  discomfiture, 
and  how  wrathy  we  were  at  them  for  thinking  it  so  funny. 
One  fellow  said  he  did  not  mind  the  bitin'  of  the  pesky 
things,  but  he  could  not  spare  the  blood,  unless  the  govern- 
ment furnished  better  rations?  But  the  graybacks  meant 
it  all  right,  and  stuck  to  us  to  the  end  of  our  service. 

Reveille  sounded  all  too  soon  next  morning,  and  we  were 
off  and  away  in  time  for  a  good  day's  march.  We  encamped 
that  night  on  a  slight  rise  of  ground,  and  had  a  splendid 
view  of  the  campfires  of  our  column.  It  was  a  beautiful 
sight,  the  first  we  had  ever  seen  of  the  kind.  In  spite  of 
orders,  the  supply  of  rails  was  constantly  lessened  that 
night.  Our  fourth  day's  experience  was  quite  similar  to  the 
third,  with  more  of  road  and  less  of  field  to  march  over. 
On  starting  out  the  boys  discovered  many  sore  places  and 
not  a  few  stiff  joints.  But  these  were  soon  forgotten.  The 
march  was  becoming  monotonous.  This  monotony  was 
slightly  relieved  the  night  we  encamped  on  the  banks  of 
Salt  river.  If  ever  a  set  of  wild  boys  got  loose,  the  loist 
boys  were  that  set.  They  plunged  into  the  river,  they  ran 
into  the  river,  they  jumped  in,  they  fell  in,  they  threw  each 
other  in,  they  waded,  and  swam,  and  ' 'ducked"  and  dived, 
and  strangled  and  kicked  and  floundered,  and  yelled  contin- 
ually. In  short  they  had  a  good  time. 

The  sixth  of  October  marks  a  date  in  our  history  which 
few  of  us  will  ever  forget.  It  was  on  this  day  that  General 
Bragg  lost  his  temper,  and,  riding  up  to  General  Polk, 
ordered  him  to  halt,  about  face  and  concentrate  for  battle. 
Of  course  we  knew  nothing  of  all  this,  but  those  whose 
business  it  was  to  know,  knew  it  and  acted  accordingly. 

General  Buell,  who  marched  with  our  corps,  the  Third, 
Gilbert's,  saw  the  necessity  of  concentrating  his  army  in  the 


OUR    HARDEST    MARCH.  45 

best  possible  position.  To  this  end  our  Corps,  our  Division 
at  least,  was  put  in  motion  by  daylight,  and  moved  forward 
at  a  rate  that  seemed  to  us  to  border  closely  on  a  quickstep 
for  several  hours.  We  were  on  the  road,  a  Macadamized 
pike,  which  leads  through  Perry ville.  Considerable  cavalry, 
much  artillery  and  many  troops,  of  the  Confederate  army,  as 
well  as  of  the  Union  army,  had  passed  along  this  road  within 
a  few  days,  so  that  the  limestone  with  which  it  had  been  bal- 
lasted had  been  ground  to  powder.  Moreover,  for  several 
weeks  a  severe  drouth  had  prevailed  in  this  section  of  the 
State.  The  weather  was  intensely  hot.  The  march  of  the 
troops  raised  the  lime  dust  in  great  clouds;  the  merciless 
sun  beat  down  upon  our  heads  almost  baking  us,  the  dust 
seemed  to  absorb  all  the  moisture  in  our  bodies,  and  water 
was  not  to  be  had.  Our  suffering  was  intense.  From  early 
morning  till  long  after  sunset,  we  kept  up  our  weary  march. 
Scores  of  our  boys  fell  out  of  line,  and  though  threatened  by 
the  rear  guard,  refused  to  go  further  until  they  had  rested. 
Out  of  over  900  men  who  started  in  the  morning,  less  than 
300  stood  in  line  when  we  stacked  arms  that  night.  And 
the  300  were  exceedingly  wabbly.  We  had  marched 
thirty-two  miles.  Several  cavalry  skirmishes  had  taken 
place  during  the  day,  but  they  were  soon  over,  and  we  re- 
sumed the  dreadful  trudge.  All  in  all,  it  was  probably  as 
severe  a  day's  marching  as  the  Regiment  ever  experienced. 
Longer  marches  were  made,  but  taking  the  heat,  the  drouth 
and  especially  the  lime  dust  into  the  account,  this  was  pro- 
bably the  worst.  Many  of  the  boys  who  had  fallen  out  dur- 
ing the  day  came  up  in  the  night,  but  many  others  never 
saw  the  Regiment  again. 

As  we  staggered  into  camp  that  night,  what  was  the  con- 
dition of  affairs  so  far  as  the  opposing  armies  were  con- 
cerned? Briefly  this : 

Bragg  had   ordered   Polk  to  concentrate   at  Perryville. 


46  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

He  was  executing  the  command,  and  a  large  force  was  al- 
ready on  the  ground.  Other  regiments  were  hurrying  into 
position.  While  we  were  rushing  like  mad  in  an  easterly 
direction  to  gain  every  possible  advantage  and  compel  the 
rebels  to  fight,  they  were  countermarching  rapidly  toward 
the  west,  to  occupy  a  strong  position  deliberately  chosen  for 
them  by  Bragg  and  his  officers.  On  the  supposition  that  Bragg 
would  fight  at  Bryantsville  or  vicinity,  General  McCook 
had  been  sent  hurriedly  to  aid  in  intercepting  Kirby  Smith, 
should  he  attempt  to  join  Bragg.  But  when  it  was  learned 
that  Bragg  was  concentrating  at  Perryville,  he  was  halted 
and  directed  to  watch  out  both  ways,  that  is,  to  keep  an 
eye  on  Smith,  but  on  no  account  to  lose  sight  of  Polk,  and 
the  main  Confederate  army.  Since  leaving  Louisville  we  had 
encountered  considerable  resistance,  but,  by  comparatively 
small  bands.  At  Bardstown  a  larger  force  had  been  met  and 
dispersed.  Both  ar tillety  and  infantry  had  been  necessary  to 
dislodge  this  force  which  was  the  rear  guard  of  the  main  rebel 
army.  The  infantry  supports  were  not  engaged  to  any  con- 
siderable extent.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  yth,  Gen.  Buell 
learned  by  actual  conflict  that  the  enemy  was  in  his  imme- 
diate front  in  considerable  number.  A  good  deal  of  hard 
fighting  was  necessary  to  drive  them  from  certain  springs 
or  pools  of  water  which  were  absolutely  necessary  for  us  to 
have.  The  enemy  was  finally  crowded  back  to  within  a  mile 
of  Perryville.  Our  Brigade  had  no  especial  part  in  this  en- 
counter, except  to  enjoy  the  water. 


GEN.  W.   P.  CARLIN, 

OUR   FIRST   BRIGADE   COMMANDER. 

From  Photograph  taken  in  1894. 


48  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 


CHAPTER  V. 

BATTLE   OF   PERRYVILLE. 

We  remained  in  the  camp  into  which  we  had  staggered 
the  night  before  until  about  9  o'clock,  (Oct.  7)  when 
we  advanced  and  took  a  position  with  the  reserves.  The 
slight  rise  of  ground  on  which  we  were  formed  afforded 
us  a  fine  view  of  the  troops  as  they  lay  there  awaiting  de- 
velopments. The  long  lines  of  battle  presented  a  most  im- 
posing aspect.  We  were  quite  recovered  from  the  exceed- 
ing fatigue  of  the  preceding  day,  and  were  ready  for  what- 
ever might  occur.  We  knew  the  old  boys  were  anxious  to 
see  what  wre  would  do  under  fire.  We  slept  that  night 
on  our  arms,  partly  for  drill  and  partly  to  be  ready  should 
occasion  require.  Nothing  especial  occurred  during  the 
night,  except  the  reading  of  some  Confederate  letters  found 
in  a  rebel  knapsack.  Oh,  my;  what  gush!  We  were  in 
line  very  early  the  next  morning,  the  8th. 

Having  forced  the  enemy  well  back  toward  Perryville, 
and  being  fully  satisfied  that  Bragg  intended  to  make  a 
stand  here  General  Buell  sent  a  courier  to  General  McCook, 
ordering  him  to  march  at  3  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the 
8th,  and  take  his  place  in  line  on  our  left.  McCook  did  not 
receive  the  order  until  2:30  o'clock  in  the  morning,  but  90 
minutes  later  he  was  on  the  march. 

It  is  pleasant  to  note  that  the  Rev.  General  Polk  again 
disobeyed  orders  on  the  morning  of  the  8th.  He  had  been 
ordered  by  General  Bragg  to  take  the  offensive  early  in  the 
morning  and  bring  on  the  fight  before  the  arrival  of  McCook, 
who  was  known  to  be  at  Macksville,  ten  miles  away.  He  de- 
liberately took  the  order  under  advisement,  and  finally  de- 
cided that  he  would  not  take  the  offensive,  but  would  assume 


BATTLE   OF   PERRYVILLE.  49 

a  "defensive-offensive"  attitude.  This  was  very  "offensive" 
to  Bragg,  who  rebuked  him,  calling  him  down  to  business. 
But  by  this  time  McCook  was  on  the  ground  ready  for  the 
day's  work. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  8th,  a  vigorous  assault  was 
made  by  the  Confederates  to  recover  the  springs  and  ponds 
of  water  which  had  been  taken  from  them  the  evening  be- 
fore. In  this  they  were  not  at  all  successful.  They  were 
repulsed  very  handsomely  and  with  considerable  loss.  Our 
Division  was  in  line  as  a  reserve  ready  to  go  in  whenever 
the  occasion  offered.  Our  brigade  was  not  needed. 

When  Bragg  heard  the  noise  of  this  assault  he  very 
naturally  supposed  that  General  Polk  was  making  the  early 
assault  on  Gilbert's  corps  which  he  had  ordered.  But  when 
hour  after  hour  passed  without  anything  being  done,  he  be- 
came nervous,  then  excited,  then  wrathy,  and  then  called 
on  Polk,  and  was  surprised  to  find  that  the  latter  gentleman 
had  no  intention  to  obey  the  former's  order  to  make  a  vig- 
orous assault  at  the  first  possible  moment.  Bragg  was  ex- 
asperated and  it  is  said  he  used  bad  words.  Polk  deserved 
a  personal  drubbing  for  his  insolent  conduct.  And  this  was 
the  second  offense  on  this  short  campaign.  On  a  subsequent 
occasion  when  Rosecrans  was  trying  to  get  in  the  rear  of 
Bragg  at  Chattanooga,  this  same  General  Polk  deliberately 
refused,  or,  at  least,  neglected  to  obey  orders,  which  saved 
a  part  of  our  army  from  a  fearful  defeat.  And  yet  Polk 
held  his  command. 

Our  commanders,  at  Perry  ville  were  not  able  to  understand 
why  the  Confederates  did  not  attack  in  force  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  8th  ;  but  they  were  very  grateful  for  the  delay 
which  enabled  McCook  to  get  into  position.  Even  after 
General  Bragg  had  called  on  General  Polk  and  ordered  him 
point  blank  to  attack,  the  latter  General  did  not  do  so  until 
General  Rouseau,  who  commanded  a  division  in  McCook's 


50  STORY    OF   THE    I  GIST    OHIO. 

corps,  advanced  his  right  so  as  to  get  water,  for  which  his 
troops  were  suffering.  In  making  this  advance,  Rouseau 
knocked  the  chip  off  Folk's  shoulder.  Then  he  was  mad, 
and  immediately  made  dispositions  for  attack. 

While  we  were  awaiting  the  arrival  of  General  McCook's 
Corps,  it  was  very  essential  that  our  Corps  should  remain  as 
quiet  and  inoffensive  as  possible.  It  should  be  borne  in 
mind  that  up  to  10  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  8th,  Gil- 
bert's Corps  was  the  only  one  on  the  field.  Crittenden  had 
been  obliged  to  inarch  to  Rolling  Fork  for  water,  and  could 
not  reach  the  field  until  after  McCook  was  in  line.  Our 
Corps  faced  the  whole  Confederate  army  till  10  o'clock  that 
morning. 

Awaiting  the  arrival  of  McCook,  it  was  eminently 
proper  that  Gilbert  should  keep  quiet,  but  after  the 
entire  line  was  established,  it  is  very  difficult  to  understand 
why  McCook  and  a  portion  of  Gilbert's  Corps  should  have 
been  compelled  to  fight  the  battle  alone.  Crittenden's  Corps 
did  nothing,  though  it  was  on  the  field  in  ample  time  to 
have  done  excellent  service.  Thomas  was  there  nervously 
anxious  to  participate.  But  no.  McCook's  and  a  part  of 
Gilbert's  corps  were  in  for  it.  Not  even  was  a  demonstra- 
tion made  to  call  off  the  hounds  that  were  dogging  the  feet 
of  McCook.  Strange  to  say,  Gilbert  was  not  called  upon 
until  the  tide  of  temporary  defeat  rolled  our  left  back  and 
brought  the  rebel  host  into  our  immediate  presence.  Not 
until  nearly  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  was  even  this  assist- 
ance given  McCook's  veterans.  The  stupidity  of  this  per- 
formance^or  rather  the  lack  of  performance,  has  never  been 
satisfactorily  explained,  and  for  the  very  best  of  reasons 
never  will  be.  The  most  charitable  excuse  given  is  that 
Buell  did  not  know  that  a  great  battle  had  been  fought  on 
our  left.  He  should  have  known  it.  McCook  was  anxious 
for  as  much  glory  as  he  could  get,  but  it  was  Buell's  busi- 


CAPT.  JAMES   M.   ROBERTS, 
OUR    FIRST    COLOR    BEARER 

From   Photograph  taken   in   1880. 


52  STORY    OF   THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

ness  to  know  everything  pertaining  to  the  battle  as  it  pro- 
gressed. He  was  with  Gilbert's  Corps,  and  might  have 
guessed  the  magnitude  of  the  conflict  from  the  roar  of  ar- 
tillery that  continued  for  hours. 

McCook  arrived  on  the  ground  about  10:30,  but  the 
main  assault  was  not  made  by  the  enemy  until  afternoon. 
They  had  not  been  idle.  Their  forces  had  been  carefully 
posted.  On  their  extreme  right  and  facing  McCook' s  left, 
Cheatham's  corps,  massed  at  brigade  front,  was  in  line.  Im- 
memediately  on  his  left  was  Wood,  and  on  Wood's  left,  Jones. 
To  the  left  of  Jones  was  Brown,  and  on  Brown's  left  was 
Johnson.  Back  of  Brown,  Cleburne,  and  to  the  left  of  Cle- 
burne,  Liddell.  All  of  these  faced  McCook,  who  had  only 
two  divisions.  They  had  orders  to  destroy  him.  Further 
to  the  left,  Adams  and  Powell  faced  Gilbert's  corps,  but 
these  were  not  to  attack  until  McCook  had  been  crushed. 
Then  they  were  to  fall  on  our  front  and  flank  and  finish  the 
work.  It  was  a  fine  plan  and  worked  well  for  a  time. 

The  rebel  onset  fell  upon  McCook's  extreme  left,  held  by 
General  Jackson.  The  rebels  were  staggered,  fairly  blinded 
by  the  fire  of  our  troops,  but  unfortunately  our  General 
Jackson  was  killed,  almost  at  the  first  onset.  This  resulted 
in  confusion  of  which  the  Confederates  took  prompt  advant- 
age. While  gallantly  endeavoring  to  rally  our  lines,  Gen- 
eral Terrill  was  mortally  wounded.  His  brigade — new 
troops  never  under  fire  before — gave  way,  and  fell  back  in 
confusion.  The  experienced  troops,  however,  knew  their 
duty  and  most  gallantly  did  they  perform  it.  The  fall  of 
Generals  Jackson  and  Terrill  and  the  loss  of  Terrill' s  bri- 
gade, caused  the  temporary  loss  of  our  left.  Our  boys  gave 
way — slowly,  but  give  way  they  did.  No  troops  on  earth 
could  withstand  the  infernal  pounding  that  was  heaped  upon 
them  that  afternoon  by  the  concentrated  rebel  army,  16,000 
strong  in  McCook's  front. 


BATTLE   OF   PERRYVILLE.  -.  53 

Our  batteries  did  most  excellent  service  at  the  critical 
moment,,  covering  the  retreat  of  our  lines,  and  inspiring 
them  to  renewed  effort  on  the  first  opportunity. 

The  turning  of  our  left  caused  the  yielding  of  McCook's 
entire  line  a  short  distance.  This  brought  the  tide  of  battle 
very  close  to  Sheridan  of  our  own  Division.  McCook  re- 
quested his  assistance.  He  also  sent  to  General  Gilbert  for 
help  on  his  left.  General  Gooding's  Brigade  was  sent.  It 
gave  a  good  account  of  itself.  So  close  had  the  Confederate 
line  come  to  General  Sheridan  that  he  found  no  difficulty  in 
' '  developing  ' '  it.  Matters  were  getting  intensely  interest- 
ing in  our  own  vicinity  about  this  time.  The  dignified  and 
mysterious  roar  of  battle  had  quite  suddenly  developed  into 
the  viciously  wicked  scream  and  crash  of  shot  and  shell. 
The  smoke  of  the  guns  could  be  distinctly  seen  through 
the  trees  ;  the  yells  of  Sheridan's  men  as  they  rushed  into 
the  fight,  could  be  heard ;  the  bursting  of  shells  near  by 
added  to  the  horror — indeed  the  very  climax  of  the  contest 
seemed  to  be  reached  uncomfortably  near  by.  Sheridan 
drove  the  Confederates  a  short  distance,  inch  by  inch.  Mc- 
Cook rallied  and  at  once  re-formed  his  lines.  Smarting  un- 
der the  defeat  he  had  just  sustained,  he  sought  vengeance 
on  those  wrho  had  broken  his  lines.  At  the  moment  that 
Sheridan  ordered  his  assault,  we  received  the  order  to  fall 
in.  We  had  fallen  in  many  times  before,  but  never  under 
such  circumstances. 

For  hours  we  had  been  listening  to  the  majestic  roll  of  the 
battle  which  now  seemed  to  be  drawing  nearer  and  nearer. 
We  had  heard  the  most  dreadful  rumors  of  frightful  losses  ; 
we  had  seen  troops  moving  rapidly  to  the  support  of  Mc- 
Cook ;  the  din  was  now  just  over  the  brow  of  the  hill  in 
our  front  and  to  our  left ;  shells  had  fallen  dangerously  near 
us,  and  now  in  the  midst  of  it  all  we  were  ordered  into  line 
for  the  purpose  of  taking  a  hand.  It  seemed  pretty  tough. 


54  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

When  the  Confederates  had  forced  McCook  back  so  as 
to  expose  Sheridan's  left,  fresh  troops  under  Adams  were 
ordered  to  assail  him,  Sheridan.  This  they  did  most 
gallantly,  but  Sheridan  was  something  of  an  assailer  him- 
self. During  the  entire  battle  he  had  raged  with  an 
unutterable  rage,  at  not  being  permitted  to  attack  the 
enemy  in  his  front.  Now  that  his  time  had  come,  he 
poured  shot  and  shell  and  bullet  and  sword  and  profanity 
into  the  rebel  lines  in  front  of  him.  The  fight  here,  was 
pretty  nearly  an  even  one.  Sheridan  held  his  own,  but 
could  not  advance  far  on  account  of  his  exposed  left.  It 
was  now  our  time.  Carlin's  Brigade  advanced  on  Sheri- 
dan's right,  driving  the  enemy  back  handsomely.  McCook' s 
reorganized  columns  fell  heavily  upon  the  enemy  and  the 
whole  face  of  affairs  was  speedily  changed.  McCook's  ad- 
vance was  checked,  but  he  held  his  ground  against  all  comers. 
Sheridan  carried  his  line  some  distance,  but  was  careful  not  to 
get  too  far  beyond  McCook.  From  his  advanced  position  he 
delivered  an  enfilading  artillery  fire  upon  the  butternuts  who 
were  stopping  McCook,  resulting  in  their  speedy  with- 
drawal. In  our  own  front  we  had  things  pretty  much  our 
own  way.  The  Confederates  under  Powell  came  up  with  a 
rush,  but  went  back  pell-mell.  We  charged  them  across 
the  fields,  down  the  hill,  across  the  river  and  into  the  town. 
Indeed  we  acted  very  unwisely.  McCook  had  been  unable 
to  advance  very  far,  Sheridan  dared  not  get  much  beyond 
McCook's  right,  but  we, — Carlin's  Brigade,  especially — had 
gone  far  in  front  of  any  other  part  of  our  line.  Our  bat- 
tery opened  fire  on  the  town,  attracting  the  fire  of  a  rebel 
battery  posted  just  south  of  the  village.  It  was  impossible 
for  Carlin  to  fall  back  without  endangering  our  line.  We 
therefore  hugged  the  earth  until  after  dark  when  we  with- 
drew in  safety.  While  thus  exposed  we  were  between  our 
own  and  the  rebel  battery.  The  screaming  of  shells  as 


HOSPITAL   SCENES.  55 

they  flew  across  the  valley  was  a  kind  of  music  to  which 
mortals  can  never  become  accustomed,  and  as  the  evening 
deepened,  and  the  darkness  came  on  the  sight  became  very 
grand.  The  fire  from  the  guns,  and  the  bursting  of 
shells  were  to  us  a  new  kind  of  fireworks.  The  rebel 
battery  gave  its  whole  attention  to  our  battery,  which  ' '  let 
us  out  "  in  good  shape. 

Darkness  put  an  end  to  the  struggle,  and  under  the 
cover  of  night  the  Confederates  withdrew,  leaving  their 
dead  and  seriously  wounded  in  our  hands.  It  was  sup- 
posed, however,  that  Bragg  would  renew  the  fight  on  the 
following  day,  and  Buell  made  his  plans  accordingly.  Had 
the  battle  been  continued  on  the  gth,  Crittenden  would 
have  had  an  important  work  to  do.  But  a  comparatively 
light  rear-guard  was  all  that  could  be  found  in  the  morning, 
and  a  few  rounds  from  our  batteries  soon  scattered  them. 
We  advanced  in  line  of  battle  toward  the  town,  but  finding 
nothing  we  "supported* '  our  battery  while  it  shelled  the 
woods  beyond  the  river. 

When  we  fell  back  from  the  perilous  position  referred  to 
above,  we  halted  for  the  night  near  an  old  house  used  as  a 
general  hospital.  We  had  never  seen  such  a  sight 
before.  Surgeons  of  both  armies  were  very  busy,  the 
evidence  of  their  efforts  being  visible  on  every  hand. 
Doubtless  they  were  kind-hearted  and  careful,  but  to  us  it 
seemed  like  brutality.  There  were  several  piles  of  ampu- 
tated limbs,  to  which  accessions  were  being  made  constantly. 
Dead  and  dying  men  were  lying  promiscuously  around. 
Others  were  awaiting  their  turn  to  be  thrown  upon  the  oper- 
ating table,  an  old  work-bench,  while  still  others  were  being 
bandaged  and  patched  up  in  various  ways  and  assigned 
to  this  hospital  or  that  as  the  character  of  the  injury 
might  indicate.  Some  seemed  to  be  resigned,  others  were 
cross  and  snappy.  Some  prayed,  some  cursed ;  some  were 


56  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

silent  and  glum  as  death  ;  others  were  noisy  and  almost 
violent.  The  deep  heartrending  groans  now  and  again 
heard,  betokened  suffering  beyond  expression.  Those 
of  us  who  visited  this  terrible  place  came  away  sick  at 
heart,  but  thankful  that  we  had  escaped  unhurt.  Efforts 
had  been  made  to  find  and  bring  in  all  the  wounded,  and 
many  a  stretcher  bore  its  bleeding  burden  to  this  good 
Samaritan  retreat.  Now  and  then  a  deep  groan  came  in 
a-field,  indicating  that  some  one,  either  Blue  or  Gray,  had 
been  missed.  Searching  parties  immediately  sought  him, 
guided  to  his  resting  place  by  his  cries. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  gth  we  marched  northward 
almost  the  entire  length  of  the  terrible  field.  Dead  men 
lay  as  they  fell,  though  the  wounded  had  been  removed. 
In  some  places  the  dead  had  been  collected.  I  remember 
seeing  thirty-one  bodies  gathered  in  one  place.  At  another 
place  there  were  eighteen,  and  still  at  another  there  were 
twelve.  The  Blue  and  Gray  were  in  separate  heaps.  In 
one  place  we  saw  six  men  dead — killed  by  a  shell,  as  was 
evident  by  their  position.  Many  dead  were  found  near  the 
fences  where  they  had  sought  shelter.  Several  charges 
had  been  made  in  that  part  of  the  line  held  by  Rouseau 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  "Burnt  Barn,"  and  near  the  hay- 
stacks. Here  the  dead  were  numerous.  In  our  march  we 
passed  a  hospital,  an  old  house  near  Willson's  or  Wilkin- 
son's Creek — It  was  a  repetition  of  the  one  we  had  visited 
the  night  before  and  had  no  attraction  for  us.  We  crossed  the 
stream  now  almost  dry  and  went  into  camp.  The  horrors 
and  the  scenes  of  suffering  witnessed  in  our  march  across 
the  battle  field,  completely  sobered  the  boys,  bringing  into 
prominent  view  the  terrible  side  of  those  bloody  conflicts. 
We  had  drunk  deeply  of  the  excitement  of  the  conflict,  but 
here  we  witnessed  a  few  of  the  results  of  the  deeds  per- 
formed in  the  frenzy  of  battle. 


RKTREAT   AND   PURSUIT.  57 

For  hours  after  we  went  into  camp,  but  few  words  were 
spoken.  The  boys  were  sitting  here  and  there  busy  with 
their  own  thoughts  or  writing  letters  to  parents  or  friends 
at  home. 

The  battle  had  been  a  severe  one.     Bragg,  in  his  report 
of    the   fight,    says:     "For   the  time  engaged,  it  was  one 
of  the  bloodiest  and  most   hotly   contested   battles  of   the 
war."     Buell  says  the  same  in  substance. 
The  Union  losses  were  as  follows : 

Number  killed 916 

Number  wounded 2943 

Number  missing 489 

Total 4348 

The  Confederate  loss  was  not  less  than  4500,  making  a 
grand  total  of  8848  men  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  the 
work  of  one  afternoon. 

Between  the  evening  of  the  8th  and  the  morning  of  the 
9th,  Bragg  withdrew  his  entire  army  from  Buell's  front,  and 
marched  rapidly  in  the  direction  of  Hast  Tennessee. 
Indeed  he  had  stopped  to  fight  the  battle,  only  to  gain  time 
to  move  his  plunder  further  out  of  danger.  He  paid  a  ter- 
rible price  for  the  time,  but  he  got  his  train  out  of  the  way. 
While  the  battle  was  raging  in  front  to  Perry ville,  Bragg's 
wagoners  were  lashing  their  animals  to  get  as  far  away  as 
possible.  Moreover,  Bragg  doubtless  well  knew  that  if  he 
could  not  whip  McCook,  even,  who  had  but  two  divisions  on 
the  field,  and  a  part  of  Gilbert's  Corps,  he  would  stand  no 
chance  the  next  day  when  Buell  would  put  his  whole  army 
into  the  fight.  Under  the  circumstances  he  had  gained  as 
much  time  as  it  was  safe  for  him  to  try  to  gain.  After  a 
dignified  delay,  a  part  of  our  army,  notably  Crittenden's 
corps  was  sent  in  pursuit  of  Bragg's  retreating  forces,  but 
not  in  time  to  intercept  or  even  annoy  them.  After  a  rest 
of  two  days  we  resumed  our  march,  advancing  quite  rapidly 


58  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

in  the  direction  of  Camp  Dick  Robinson.  But  we  soon 
came  to  an  abrupt  halt  and  immediately  began  to  retrace 
our  steps.  We  returned  to  the  vicinity  of  Perryville  where 
we  went  again  into  camp  at  n  o'clork  at  night,  having 
gained  only  three  miles  by  the  day's  march.  The  next 
morning,  October  12,  we  marched  at  9  o'clock  in  the  midst 
of  a  drizzling  rain. 

Wild  rumors  were  current  to  the  effect  that  Bragg  was 
surrounded  and  that  the  next  day  we  would  capture  him  and 
his  whole  army.  Our  camping  in  line  of  battle  that  night 
gave  color  to  this  rumor.  But  we  did  not  capture  the  rebel 
army  the  next  day,  nor  did  we  even  hear  from  it.  Resum- 
ing our  march  early  in  the  morning  we  continued  the  pur- 
suit in  the  same  jerky  way  in  which  it  had  thus  far  been 
conducted.  The  country  through  which  we  were  marching 
seemed  excellent,  but  the  Confederates  had  stripped  it  of 
everything  that  could  be  eaten  by  man  or  beast.  Our  own 
'  trains  were  not  with  us  and  we  were  soon  on  short  rations 
and  a  little  later,  no  rations  at  all.  Our  line  of  march  was 
along  the  Danville  road,  tho'  we  were  marching  through 
the  woods  and  across  the  fields  most  of  the  time.  The  ex- 
treme heat  added  greatly  to  our  suffering.  The  march  was 
practically  without  incident  until  we  reached  the  vicinity  of 
Lancaster  on  the  i5th. 

We  had  marched  very  rapidly  the  day  before  and  finally 
came  up  with  a  portion  of  the  rebel  rearguard.  They 
shelled  us  for  a  while  and  showed  a  brave  front,  but  when 
we  marched  to  the  right  of  the  village  for  the  purpose  of 
gaining  their  rear,  they  very  promptly  withdrew.  The  fir- 
ing which  had  been  very  noisy,  had  been  quite  harmless. 
Falling  into  our  usual  trudge  we  followed  the  enemy  to 
within  one  and  a  half  miles  of  the  village  of  Crab  Orchard, 
where  the  pursuit  was  given  over,  so  far  -as  we  were  con- 
cerned. We  remained  here  in  camp  until  the  2ist,  suffering 


TRAMP,  TRAMP,  TRAMP.  59 

greatly  from  the  excessive  heat,  but  especially  for  a  day  or 
two  for  want  of  provisions.  Our  trains  reached  us  on 
the  1 6th. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

CRAB    ORCHARD    TO    BOWUNG    GRKEN. 

On  the  morning  of  October  2ist  we  broke  camp  and  be- 
gan the  long,  dreary  march  toward  Nashville,  moving  by 
way  of  Lancaster,  Danville,  Lebanon  and  Bowling  Green. 
The  notion  that  we  must  not  destroy  private  property,  nay, 
more,  that  we  must  protect  it,  still  had  defenders  in  some  of 
our  officers,  but  it  was  impossible  to  enforce  such  a  rule. 
In  spite  of  all  orders,  fences  would  melt  away,  chicken 
roosts  would  yield  their  treasures,  pantries  would  disgorge 
their  delicacies,  and  many  sheep  and  pigs  would  find  their 
way  into  camp.  Our  officers  had  good  fires  made  of  pieces 
of  cedar  rails,  and  we  never  forgot  to  share  with  them,  and 
especially  the  officer  of  the  day,  our  delicacies  and  valuable 
finds  in  the  line  of  live  stock,  cured  meats,  etc.  Whether 
or  not  this  helped  to  keep  them  quiet,  they  can  answer. 

Nothing  of  any  considerable  importance  occurred  on  the 
march  to  Bowling  Green.  We  suffered  considerably  from 
thirst,  but  this  was  unavoidable  on  account  of  the  exceed- 
ingly dry  weather.  The  water  that  could  be  had  was  fre- 
quently wholly  unfit  for  use,  and  was  a  fruitful  source  of 
disease  among  the  boys.  Indeed  the  horrid  water  that  we 
were  compelled  to  use  during  the  entire  term  of  service, 
was  a  never-ending  source  of  trouble.  It  was  the  cause  of 
many  more  deaths  than  all  the  Confederate  lead  that  was 
fired. 

The  monotony  of  our  march  was  slightly  broken  by  our 
passage  over  Muldraugh  Hills.  The  scenery  was  beautiful, 


60  STORY    OF    THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

the  roads  excellent.  We  passed  the  ruins  of  several  battle- 
ments which  had  been  thrown  up  to  defend  the  pass.  It 
occurred  to  us  that  a  comparatively  small  army  could  hold 
several  times  its  number  in  check,  as  long  as  the  attack 
was  confined  to  the  front.  But  there  are  other  passes  near 
by,  and  there  is  no  good  chance  here  for  a  repetition  of 
Thermopyle.  The  view  from  some  of  the  higher  portions 
of  the  road  was  magnificent.  Added  to  the  natural  beauty 
which  in  the  latter  part  of  October  is  especially  fine,  our 
army  could  be  seen  for  miles,  winding  its  majestic  way  over 
hills,  across  valleys,  around  cliffs,  through  the  shade  and 
into  the  boiling  sun. 

The  passage  of  Green  River,  near  Greenburg,  gave  the 
boys  an  opportunity  to  go  swimming,  which  they  were  not 
slow  to  improve.  Although  it  was  somewhat  difficult  to 
swim  with  the  water  only  knee  deep,  yet  the  boys  had  a 
"  splendid  good  "  time. 

lyong  before  we  had  reached  this  point  nearly  every  man 
in  the  Regiment  had  become  footsore,  many  very  seriously 
so.  Our  shoes  were  almost  as  hard  and  unyielding  as 
wooden  ones,  and  blisters,  the  like  of  which  we  never  saw 
before  nor  since  became  very  common.  The  start  after  a 
night's  rest  was  a  terrible  affair.  Many  a  boy  declared  that 

he  could  not  endure  the  pain,  and  that  he  would  be if 

he  would  try.  But  with  the  "  fall  in  "  and  "  forward"  he 
was  quite  sure  to  find  his  place.  But  didn't  we  growl ;  and 
didn't  some  of  the  boys  say  words  they  never  say  at  home ! 
Some  of  the  boys  thoughtlessly  cut  holes  in  their  shoes  to 
relieve  the  pressure  on  the  blisters,  but  this  only  admitted 
dust  and  gravel  and  made  bad  matters  worse.  How  these 
unfortunate  ones  ever  got  to  Bowling  Green  is  a  mystery. 
They  probably  practiced  the  philosophy  of  the  Dutchman  in 
the  Mexican  war.  He  said  it  was  so  hot  they  could  not 
stand  it,  but  they  had  to. 


JAS.    A.    STEWART, 

COMPANY   F. 
FOR  MANY  YEARS  SECRETARY  OF  THE  101ST  ASSOCIATION". 

From  Photograph  taken  in  1893. 


62  STORY    OF   THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

On  the  afternoon  of  November  ist,  we  marched  through 
Bowling  Green  and  went  into  camp  one  and  a  half  miles 
west  of  town.  We  endeavored  to  spruce  up  as  we  marched 
through  the  city,  and  advanced  platoon  front,  our  officers 
really  trying  to  have  us  keep  straight  lines.  They  objected 
to  limping,  and  were  not  pleased  when  we  indulged 
in  passing  remarks  on  the  general  appearance  of  the  place 
as  we  passed  through  the  streets.  Crossing  the  bridge  over 
Barren  river,  just  east  of  the  town,  the  temptation  was  very 
strong  to  jump  in  and  cool  our  burning  feet,  but  the  oppor- 
tunity was  not  favorable  and  we  trudged  on. 

In  some  way  we  had  come  to  feel  that  we  should  remain 
at  Bowling  Green  a  few  days  for  rest.  We  had  also  learned 
that  General  Buell  would  here  turn  over  his  command  to 
General  Rosecrans.  Few  of  our  men  were  special  admirers 
of  Buell,  and  all  were  ready  for  a  new  man. 


CHAPTER   VII. 

BOWLING   GREEN   TO   NASHVILLE. 

We  remained  in  camp  at  Bowling  Green  until  the  morn- 
ing of  November  4th.  Our  time  was  devoted  to  cleaning  up 
our  old  clothes,  drawing  new,  absolute  rest,  and  just  enough 
camp  duty  to  remind  us  that  we  were  still  in  the  army. 

On  every  hand  there  were  evidences  of  ruin  and  devas- 
tation. It  will  be  remembered  that  the  first  rebel  line  of 
defence  extended  westerly  from  Bowling  Green  through 
Fort  Donelson  to  Columbus,  Kentucky.  When  Grant 
turned  Columbus,  which  the  rebels  had  called  the  Gibralter 
of  the  Mississippi,  and  drove  the  Confederates  from  Forts 
Henry  and  Donelson,  Bowling  Green  had  to  be  abandoned 
by  them.  It  was  immediately  occupied  by  our  troops. 


AT    BOWLING    GREEN.  63 

More  or  less  fighting  had  taken  place  in  and  about  the  town 
from  the  very  beginning  of  the  war.  Bragg  in  his  march 
to  the  North  had  passed  through  Glasgow  about  thirty 
miles  to  the  eastward,  but  his  cavalry,  and  the  frequent 
raids  of  Morgan  and  others  kept  this  part  of  the  State  in  a 
stirred  up  condition  all  the  time.  A  number  of  tall  chimneys 
standing  stark  alone,  told  of  destruction  by  fire,  as  plainly 
as  did  appearances  generally  indicate  acts  of  vandalism,  for 
vandalism  it  surely  must  have  been. 

Our  band-box  appearance  that  had  been  so  exasperating 
to  the  old  troops,  had  most  effectually  passed  away,  and 
we  looked  seedy  enough  for  the  most  exacting  ' '  Old 
Vet."  While  at  Bowling  Green  some  of  us  received 
our  knapsacks  and  bundles  which  we  had  sent  back 
to  Louisville  for  storage,  soon  after  we  started  on  our 
march.  Many  of  us  received  letters  here  that  could 
not  be  delivered  to  us  on  the  march.  Aside  from  these 
letters  the  next  greatest  comfort  we  received  was  the 
newspapers.  From  time  to  time  we  had  rumors  in  camp 
and  on  the  march  of  what  was  going  on  in  the  outside 
world,  but  our  information  was  too  vague  and  meager  to 
afford  any  satisfaction.  Our  four  days  here  were  employed 
to  the  very  best  possible  advantage.  We  profited  greatly 
by  the  rest.  For  nearly  two  days  after  passing  Muldraugh's 
Hills,  we  had  been  practically  without  food,  and  had  subse- 
quently been  very  sparingly  supplied  until  we  came  into  the 
vicinity  of  Bowling  Green.  We  were,  therefore,  in  the  very 
best  possible  condition  to  enjoy  food  and  rest. 

The  most  notable  event  that  occurred  while  we  lay  at 
Bowling  Green  was  the  change  of  commanders.  On  the  3oth 
of  October  General  Rosecrans  had,  by  order  of  the  War 
Department,  assumed  command  of  General  Buell's  army,  but 
he  did  not  reach  the  field  until  November  2d.  He  was  gladly 
received  by  the  men  of  all  arms.  He  had  won  a  most  honor- 


64  STORY   OF    THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

able  name,  and  we  were  glad  to  march  under  his  leadership. 
The  army  which  had  fought  at  Perryville  and  previously  at 
Pittsburg  Landing  and  elsewhere,  and  wrhich  had  been 
known  as  the  Army  of  the  Ohio,  was  hereafter  to  be  known 
as  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  or  the  Fourteenth  Army 
Corps.  The  territory  in  which  it  was  to  operate  was  to  be 
conquered  from  the  enemy.  We  were  to  occupy  and  hold 
Middle  and  East  Tennesee,  and  the  northern  half  of  Georgia 
and  Alabama. 

Nearly  all  this  territory  was  at  that  time  under  the  con- 
trol of  the  enemy.  The  Army  of  the  Cumberland  was  to 
have  a  Department  if  it  could  conquer  one.  We  were  imme- 
diately to  move  out  of  the  territory  of  the  Department  of 
Ohio,  into  our  own  promised  land.  But  we  should  find 
many  giants  in  that  country. 

On  the  morning  of  the  4th  of  November  we  broke  camp, 
marched  up  through  the  city  and  took  the  main  road  south- 
ward to  Nashville.  We  passed  through  Memphis  Junction, 
near  Franklin,  and  Mitchellville,  and  finally  halted  at  Edge- 
field  Junction  ten  miles  north  of  Nashville. 

We  were  a  little  suspicious  of  our  new  division  com- 
mander, Gen.  Jeff.  C.  Davis.  He  was  the  fellow  who  had 
shot  and  killed  General  Nelson  in  the  Gault  House  at  Louis- 
ville, and  we  had  never  heard  that  the  matter  had  been  care- 
fully looked  into,  and  his  conduct  approved.  He  had  the 
reputation  of  being  a  great  fighter,  which  reputation  he 
maintained  to  the  bitter  end.  We  were  given  to  understand 
that  Davis  meant  business  from  the  word  "go,"  and  that  if 
the  army  ever  remained  in  camp  for  any  particular  time,  we 
would  be  treated  as  a  regiment  of  cavalry  and  be  rushed 
about  the  country  accordingly.  We  found  long  before  the 
end  of  the  war  that  this  was  not  all  fiction.  He  was  eter- 
nally wanting  to  make  a  ' '  dash, "  or  to  raid  something.  But 
we  came  to  like  Davis  very  much,  as  he  seemed  to  have  a 


JOSHUA  B.   DAVIS, 

COMPANY    B. 

From   Photograph  taken   in   1894. 


66  STORY    OF    THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

warm  place  for  his  "  Innocents,"  as  he  called  us,  after  Knob 
Gap. 

The  loist  left  sixty  boys  sick  in  the  hospital  at  Bowling 
Green  when  we  began  our  march  to  the  South.  We  marched 
until  dark  the  first  day,  but  had  plenty  of  rations,  and  water 
was  abundant.  On  the  5th  day  of  November,  the  second 
day  out,  about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  we  crossed  the 
Tennessee  line.  A  stone  had  been  set  up,  on  one  side  of  which 
was  the  name  ' '  Kentucky, "  on  the  other  ' '  Tennesee. "  Each 
regiment  and  nearly  every  separate  company  passing  this 
point,  raised  a  vociferous  shout.  We  were  at  last  in  Tennes- 
see. We  entered  the  State  in  a  drizzling  mist,  and  the  hard 
rain  which  came  on  later  in  the  evening  failed  to  impress  us 
with  the  far-famed  beauty  of  "  Old  Tennessee."  The  night 
was  cold  and  wretched  in  every  way,  and  the  boys  decided 
the  State  wras  not  worth  fighting  for.  The  sun  came  out 
next  morning  clear  and  hot.  We  marched  until  4  o'clock, 
when  we  went  into  camp  full  of  the  rumor  that  we  were  to 
remain  right  there  for  the  next  three  weeks — but  we  were 
on  the  march  next  morning,  soon  after  sunrise,  en  route  for 
the  next  camping  place.  About  10  o'clock,  after  one  or  two 
of  those  unaccountable,  jerky  halts,  we  heard  a  cannon-shot 
about  a  mile  in  front.  Soon  another.  How  our  ranks  did 
"  close  up,"  and  how  the  fire  came  back  into  the  eyes  of  the 
boys  who  were  tired  and  jaded  with  the  long  march.  Of 
course  a  few  were  taken  suddenly  ill,  but  almost  every  one 
stepped  as  lightly  as  he  did  the  day  we  left  Louisville. 
Another  and  another  shot  succeeded  the  first  two,  and  we 
were  ordered  forward,  first  at  a  brisk  march,  then  for  a  short 
distance  on  the  double  quick.  But  the  cannonading  had 
ceased — the  musketry  fire  had  been  very  light — the  scrap 
was  soon  over.  A  small  detachment  of  Morgan's  cavalry 
had  made  a  foolish  dash  for  our  Division  wagons,  and  had 
paid  dearly  for  their  temerity.  Two  or  three  were  wounded, 


AT   EDGEFIELD   JUNCTION.  67 

one  at  least  was  killed,  and  the  remainder  ran  away  wiser 
than  they  came.  The  dead  rebel  was  the  subject  of  very 
heartless  remarks  as  he  lay  there  at  the  side  of  the  road  with 
a  chunk  of  cheese  in  his  mouth.  He  had  been  shot  while 
trying  to  rob  a  suttler's  wagon.  Our  road  lay  directly  across 
a  narrow  valley,  in  a  ravine  of  which  Morgan's  men  had 
secreted  themselves  preparatory  to  their  fatal  assault.  The 
incident  kept  us  in  gossip  all  the  rest  of  the  afternoon.  We 
advanced  very  rapidly  for  about  five  miles,  then  slowed  down 
and  finally  went  into  camp  near  Edgefield  Junction.  A  day 
or  two  before  we  marched  from  Bowling  Green,  General 
Rosecrans  had  hurried  troops  forward  to  Gallatin  on  the 
Tennessee  river,  and  had  a  large  force  of  men  repairing  the 
railroad  to  Nashville.  A  very  important  bridge  at  Edgefield 
Junction  had  been  destroyed  by  the  rebels.  Events  proved 
that  we  were  destined  for  this  point,  to  act  as  a  guard  during 
its  reconstruction.  It  rained  and  snowed  the  day  we  had 
reached  the  Junction,  and,  all  in  all,  it  was  a  miserable  time 
and  place.  But  the  next  morning  was  clear  and  crisp  and 
we  forgot  our  hardships. 

Morgan  and  others  were  reported  as  hanging  on  our 
flanks  for  the  purpose  of  creating  trouble.  Moreover,  the 
railroad  was  not  yet  in  shape  and  we  were  not  well  sup- 
plied with  provisions.  An  expedition  was  planned  for  relief. 
On  Sunday  morning,  the  gth,  our  Brigade — the  loist  in 
advance — took  up  its  line  of  march  for  the  mountains,  nine 
miles  back  txnvard  Mitchellville,  where  we  had  the  brush 
with  Morgan's  men  a  few  days  before.  With  our  Brigade 
in  the  mountains,  the  forage  wagons  of  the  Division  could 
and  did  scour  the  whole  country  for  provisions  for  both  man 
and  beast.  Our  camp,  the  first  night  out,  was  exceptionally 
beautiful,  occupying  a  small  plateau,  just  large  enough  for 
the  Regiment,  and  nearly  a  mile  in  advance  of  the  other 
regiments  of  the  Brigade. 


68  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

On  the  nth  we  proceeded  into  the  mountains,  a  detach- 
ment composed  of  Companies  H  and  H,  being  sent  a  few 
miles  across  the  country  to  determine  the  presence  or  absence 
of  the  enemy  in  that  quarter.  Capt.  layman  Parcher  was  in 
charge  of  the  expedition.  No  rebels  were  found.  On  our 
way  back  we  struck  a  little  community  that  had  thus  far 
escaped  the  ravages  of  war.  Our  boys  soon  made  the  dis- 
covery, and  for  a  time  nothing  but  sticks  and  stones,  and 
clods,  and  bayonets  and  ramrods,  and  chickens  and  geese 
and  turkeys  and  guineas  and  pigs  could  be  seen  or  heard. 
"The  combat  deepened,"  and  not  even  a  goose  escaped. 
As  we  left  that  field  of  carnage,  we  presented  the  appearance 
of  "Sherman's  Bummers,"  subsequently  so  famous.  We 
remained  in  the  mountains  until  the  morning  of  the  i4th, 
when  we  broke  camp  and  returned  to  the  Junction.  Noth- 
ing occurred  in  camp  to  break  the  usual  monotony  of  a 
soldier's  life  until  the  2ist,  when  we  broke  camp  and  took 
up  our  march  for  Kdgefield,  a  small  village  opposite  Nash- 
ville. 

Since  leaving  Louisville  we  had  been  so  constantly  on 
the  march,  that  as  soon  as  any  one  was  taken  seriously  ill, 
he  was  placed  in  the  ambulance  and  conveyed  to  the  nearest 
hospital.  At  Edgefield  Junction  we  remained  a  number  of 
days,  during  which  time  one  of  our  boys,  Michael  Sherer,  of 
Co.  E,  was  taken  sick  of  typhoid  fever.  He  died  in  camp 
and  was  buried  in  great  solemnity  beneath  the  branches  of  a 
young  cedar.  He  was  an  excellent  man,  a  brave  soldier,  a 
Christian  hero.  His  younger  brother,  Adam,  was  killed  in 
battle  at  Stone's  River,  a  few  weeks  later. 

Our  camp  at  Edgefield  was  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile 
from  the  Cumberland.  By  dint  of  hard  work,  our  quarters 
were  made  quite  attractive.  Barring  the  amount  of  drilling 
to  which  we  were  daily  subjected,  we  rather  enjoyed  our 
sojourn  here.  On  the  23rd,  at  2:30  p.  M.,  we  had  a  grand 


CAMP    ANDY   JOHNSON.  69 

review  of  our  Division  by  General  Rosecrans.  All  such 
reviews  are  bores,  but  we  were  glad  to  see  our  new  com- 
mander. He  completely  captivated  us  by  his  fine  bearing,  his 
cheerful  smile,  and  especially  by  the  way  he  took  off  his  hat 
to  us.  He  even  spoke  to  us,  and  promised  to  look  after  us, 
and  give  us  plenty  of  marching  and  all  the  fighting  we 
wanted.  He  was  cheered  to  the  echo. 

Our  army  was  being  concentrated  in  the  vicinity  of  Nash- 
ville. The  defenses  of  the  city  were  being  strengthened  and 
extended.  With  the  opening  of  the  railroad  from  Louis- 
ville, every  effort  was  being  put  forth  to  gather  the  largest 
possible  amount  of  clothing,  provisions  and  other  army 
supplies,  preparatory  to  an  advance  upon  Bragg,  who  was 
vsupposed  to  be  concentrating  in  the  vicinity  of  Murfrees- 
boro',  about  thirty  miles  away. 

As  a  part  of  the  general  preparation,  we  left  camp  at 
Edgefield  on  the  28th  of  November,  and  were  assigned  our 
position  in  the  line  of  defense  just  south  of  Nashville,  near 
the  Franklin  pike,  going  into  camp  in  what  was  known  as 
Camp  Andy  Johnson.  We  remained  here,  drilling  and  doing 
our  full  share  of  picketing  until  the  loth  of  December,  when 
we  wrere  moved  some  distance  to  the  left,  and  placed  in 
camp  just  to  the  right  of  the  Nolensville  or  Kdmond- 
son  pike,  Gen.  Phil.  Sheridan's  Brigade  being  on  our  imme- 
diate left.  We  frequently  saw  the  General  at  Colonel  Stem's 
and  General  Carlin's  headquarters,  but  I  question  if  any 
of  us  guessed  that  the  stubby  Chief  we  saw  there  would  ever 
prove  the  dashing  cavalry  leader  he  afterwards  came  to  be. 
But  it  was  "  Phil,"  and  no  mistake. 

Although  we  were  nearing  the  crisis ;  although  the  time 
at  which  the  two  great  armies  were  to  come  into  deadly 
conflict  had  almost  arrived,  yet  our  daily  camp  life  went 
right  along  as  though  nothing  was  expected.  Rumors  were 
afloat  and  we  boys  discussed  matters  to  some  extent,  and 


70  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

yet  as  I  look  back  to  those  days  I  am  surprised  at  the  lack 
of  definiteness  that  our  thoughts  and  our  discussions  assumed. 
I  speak  of  course  of  the  rank  and  file,  to  which  I  belonged. 
We  realized  that  our  army  was  there  for  business,  that  Bragg 
would  dispute  our  advance,  and  yet  these  facts  did  not  im- 
press us.  They  were  a  species  of  historical  facts.  Our  dis- 
cussions were  rather  tame  affairs  about  what  ' '  they  ' ' ,  (the 
commanding  Generals,  and  the  army  at  large),  would  do. 

Notwithstanding  our  careless  and  apparently  thoughtless 
way  of  looking  at  these  matters,  when  the  decisive  moment 
came  and  we  were  ready  for  the  advance,  we  all  realized 
that  stirring  times  were  just  ahead  of  us.  We  knew7  that  we 
should  strike  rebel  pickets  before  two  hours,  and  that  our 
advance  would  be  heralded  all  over  the  South  at  once,  and 
that  strong  hands  would  be  raised  against  us.  But  we  did 
not  bother  our  heads  about  this,  and  it  was  quite  as  well  we 
did  not. 

General  Thomas,  leaving  only  a  garrison  at  Gallatin, 
moved  his  two  Divisions,  Negley's  and  Rouseau's  with  Walk- 
er's Brigade  of  Fry's  Division,  to  Nashville,  and  was  as- 
signed his  position  in  the  Center.  Thomas'  other  Division 
was  engaged  in  guarding  our  communications,  especially  the 
railroad  to  Louisville.  McCook  with  his  three  Divisions, 
Davis',  Sheridan's  and  Johnson's,  was  on  the  Right,  Critten- 
den  with  his  three,  Rouseau's,  Van  Cleve's  and  Negley's,  was 
on  the  lyeft.  Thus  were  we  posted  a  few  miles  south  and 
east  of  Nashville  on  Christmas  Day,  1862. 

Carlin's  Brigade,  the  Second,  Davis'  Division,  was  made 
up  as  follows: — 

loist  Ohio,  Col.  L.  Stem,  commanding. 

2ist  Illinois,  Col.  W.  S.  Alexander,  commanding. 

38th  Illinois,  Col.  D.  H.  Gilmer,  commanding. 

I5th  Wisconsin,  Lt.-Colonel  David  McKee,  commanding. 

2d  Minnesota  Battery,  Capt.  W.  A.  Hotchkiss,  commanding. 


BATTLE    OF    KXOB    GAP    OR    NOLANSVILLE.  JI 

CHAPTER   VIII. 

BATTLE   OF   KNOB   GAP   OR   NOLENSVILLE. 

The  morning  of  December  24,  1862,  brought  with  it  a 
great  surprise  for  all  our  boys.  Bright  new  Springfield 
rifles  were  given  us  in  exchange  for  the  Austrian  horrors  we 
had  so  long  carried.  We  went  wild  over  the  change  and 
acted  much  like  little  boys  with  new  sleds.  At  once  we  be- 
came anxious  to  try  our  new7  guns  on  the  enemy — nor  had 
we  long  to  wait. 

The  two  opposing  armies  lay  within  thirty  miles  of  each 
other,  armed  to  the  teeth,  but  both  apparently  in  winter 
quarters.  Bragg  was  at  Murfreesboro',  having  strong  out- 
posts at  Nolensville,  L,avergne,  and  Triune.  His  entire 
front  was  well  and  vigorously  picketed. 

On  Christmas  night,  a  council  called  by  General  Rose- 
crans  at  his  headquarters  had  been  attended  by  his  Corps 
commanders.  A  decision  was  soon  reached  : — to  advance  at 
daylight  next  morning  in  full  force.  The  position  of  the  Con- 
federate army  indicated  that  Bragg  \vould  fight  at  Murfrees- 
boro', but  if  not  there,  then  at  Shelby ville,  twenty-five  miles 
south  of  that  place.  Our  advance  was  to  be  prompt,  vigor- 
ous, and  decisive.  The  army  was  to  move  in  three  columns 
— the  Left  under  Crittenden,  by  way  of  the  Murfreesboro' 
pike,  with  L,avergne  as  the  first  objective  point ;  the  Center 
under  Thomas,  by  way  of  the  Franklin  pike  to  Brentwood 
where  a  halt  was  to  be  made  pending  further  developments, 
and  the  Right  under  McCook,  by  way  of  the  Nolensville 
pike  and  dirt  roads,  with  Nolensville  as  the  first  objective 
point.  Each  Corps  had  certain  specified  work  to  accomplish 
that  first  day,  and  each  practically  succeeded.  It  will  be 
observed  that  the  above  arrangement  threw  Thomas  for  the 


72  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

time  being  on  the  right  of  McCook.  This  was  done  to 
threaten  Bragg' s  possible  retreat  upon  Shelby ville.  Should 
the  Confederate  general  decide  to  accept  battle  at  Murfrees- 
boro' ,  Thomas  could  easily  move  toward  the  left  and  take 
his  proper  place  in  line.  Our  moving  columns  were  to  keep 
in  constant  communication  with  one  another. 

Before  daylight  on  Friday  morning,  December  26th,  our 
entire  army  had  breakfasted  and  at  sunrise  was  ready  for 
the  field.  Our  camp  had  melted  away  like  dew  in  the 
summer's  sun.  Nearly  all  our  regimental  wagons  were 
rolling  back  toward  the  rear,  and  only  a  tent  here  and  there 
was  left  standing  for  the  use  of  the  sick  until  they  could  be 
otherwise  cared  for. 

The  shrill  notes  of  bugles,  the  long  roll  of  drums,  the 
commands  of  officers,  the  marching  of  companies  and  regi- 
ments into  position,  the  deserted  camp — all  indicated  even 
to  the  dullest  of  us  that  a  move  of  very  unusual  importance 
was  being  made.  Well  did  we  know,  and  quite  fully  did  we 
appreciate  that  the  army  was  moving  forward  to  engage 
in  a  momentous  struggle — a  struggle  which  involved  the 
possession  of  one  whole  state  and  half  of  another — a  struggle 
which  we  all  fondly  hoped  might  go  far  toward  ending  the 
war,  but  in  which"  we  knew  many  of  us  must  fall. 

As  regiment  after  regiment  and  brigade  after  brigade 
filed  out  of  camp,  accompanied  by  its  artillery,  and  took  its 
place  in  the  long  line  that  stretched  far  down  the  pike,  the 
scene  became  one  of  surpassing  beauty  and  inspiring  grand- 
eur— one  not  soon  to  be  forgotten.  Alas  !  how  soon  was 
this  great  host  to  be  shattered,  torn  and  mangled  in  dreadful 
battle,  but,  withal,  victorious. 

At  the  same  moment  we  were  filing  into  the  Nolensville 
pike,  Crittenden  was  moving  into  the  Murfreesboro'  pike 
and  Thomas  was  crossing  over  to  the  Franklin  pike.  Thus, 
three  irresistible  columns  were  to  press  their  way  forward 


JOSEPH    D.   REESE, 

COMPANY   K. 

From  Photograph  taken  in  1894. 


74  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

that  day,  guided  by  one  master  hand,  and  inspired  by 
one  patriotic  thought,  the  utter  destruction  of  the 
enemy  in  our  front,  and  the  complete  overthrow  of  the 
cause  that  army  represented.  Advancing,  our  head  of 
column  soon  fell  upon  the  Confederate  pickets,  and 
at  once  began  to  skirmish  with  them,  driving  them 
steadily  back.  At  Seven  Mile  Creek,  our  Division  filed  to 
the  right  and  followed  a  dirt  road  which  leads  south-east- 
ward, passing  a  mile  or  so  to  the  south-west  of  the  village 
of  Nolensville.  The  remainder  of  the  Corps  moved  straight 
out  the  pike.  In  this  advance  Carlin's  brigade  had  the  lead. 
The  skirmishing  soon  became  quite  brisk  and  interesting. 
Arriving  near  the  Confederate  position,  and  finding  the 
enemy  quite  stubborn,  our  Brigade  was  thrown  into  line  of 
battle  with  Company  K,  of  our  Regiment,  on  the  skirmish 
line.  Advancing  promptly  we  crowded  the  Confederate 
skirmishers  back  upon  their  main  position.  They  did  not 
stand  for  close  work  until  they  had  joined  the  reserve  force, 
and  not  much  harm  was  here  done  on  either  side.  The 
Regiment  was  hurried  forward  to  the  crest  of  a  hill,  from 
which  they  delivered  a  volley  of  musketry  upon  the  rebels 
some  distance  in  our  front.  The  Johnnies  took  the  hint 
and  moved  off  rapidly  toward  the  village.  One  fellow, 
however,  was  too  brave  to  run,  and  was  soon  cut  off— 
'  covered '  by  many  rifles,  and  compelled  to  surrender. 
He  was  a  pompous  .six-footer,  and  keenly  felt  his  humilia- 
tion. He  swore  fluently  and  with  great  apparent  satisfac- 
tion, but  beyond  this  he  would  say  nothing,  except,  '  We'll 

lick out  of  you  fellers  before  to-morrow  night,  if  you 

don't  git  right  out  of  this  yere  country, you.'     I  should 

like  to  meet  that  chap  again— under  different  circumstances. 
It  was  very  evident  that  Hardee,  who  was  in  command  at 
Nolensville,  intended  to  show  considerable  fight.  The 
force  against  which  we  had  thus  far  been  contending,  was 


BATTLE   OF   KNOB   GAP   OR   NOLANSVILLE.  75 

guarding  the  rebel  left  flank,  and  had  now  fallen  back  to  the 
main  line.  Our  Brigade  was  at  once  moved  rapidly  to  our 
left  a  short  distance,  halting  in  the  edge  of  a  dense  woods 
fronting  a  large  open  field,  beyond  which  to  the  eastward 
lay  the  village  of  Nolensville.  The  moment  we  emerged 
from  the  woods  into  the  open  field,  a  Confederate  battery 
opened  upon  us  to  the  full  extent  of  its  ability,  sometimes 
throwing  solid  shot,  and  sometimes  shell,  many  of  which 
came  uncomfortably  close.  Many  of  us  thought  we  ran  con- 
siderable risk  in  advancing  under  such  a  protest,  but  General 
Carlin  and  Colonel  Stem  did  not  seem  to  so  regard  it,  and 
we  went  right  on  quite  rapidly.  Seeing  that  we  were  deter- 
mined to  advance,  and  further,  that  Pinney's  battery  was 
about  ready  to  open  on  them,  these  brave  butternuts  with- 
drew, and  took  up  a  new  position  nearly  a  mile  south  of  the 
town  at  what  was  known  as  Knob  Gap,  a  pass  through  the 
hills,  easy  of  defense,  except  against  flankers.  By  this  time 
we  had  reached  the  middle  of  the  large  field  referred  to 
above,  and  at  once  faced  our  line  more  to  the  south,  and 
moved  rapidly  on  the  enemy's  new  position.  On  either  side 
of  the  pike  and  running  almost  at  right  angles  with  it,  there 
was  a  heavy  stone  wall  or  fence,  back  of  which  the  Confed- 
erate dismounted  cavalry,  in  considerable  force,  had  taken 
position.  The  prospect  was  by  no  means  encouraging,  but 
we  pushed  steadily  forward,  wading  mud  in  the  corn- 
field ankle-deep.  A  moment  later,  the  Confederate  battery 
opened  again,  but  our  own  battery  had  by  this  time  come 
into  a  fine  position  and  replied,  even  to  their  very  first  volley. 
So  accurate  and  so  rapid  was  the  fire  of  Pinney's  gun- 
ners, that  the  rebel  artillerists  gave  their  whole  attention 
to  them,  neglecting  us  almost  entirely.  Both  batteries  were 
on  high  ground,  while  we  were  laboring  along  in  the  low 
ground  between  them.  The  shrieking  of  shot  and  shell 
as  they  screamed  through  the  air  over  our  heads  reminded 


76  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

us  of  Perry ville.  It  was  a  very  exciting  moment.  Our  line 
had  become  irregular  and  ragged,  in  consequence  of  which 
a  brief  halt  was  called  to  adjust  it.  We  could  distinctly  see 
the  enemy  behind  the  stone  wall,  and  when  a  little  later, 
the  order  was  given  to  fix  bayonets,  I  tell  you  the  situation 
was  becoming  quite  serious  to  some  of  us  at  least  who  had 
never  had  experience  with  cold  steel.  The  line  moved 
promptly  forward,  and  in  a  few  moments  a  charge  was 
ordered.  We  raised  the  run,  or  at  least  we  tried  to  do  so. 
It  had  rained  hard  in  the  morning  and  the  ground  was  very 
soft.  The  charge  was  therefore  not  a  beautiful  one,  the 
mud  was  too  deep.  But  we  pushed  ourselves  forward 
as  fast  as  we  possibly  could,  and  before  the  Johnnies 
seemed  to  know  it,  we  were  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  from  the 
summit  of  which  the  rebel  battery  was  firing.  At  once  they 
attempted  to  depress  their  guns,  and  rake  us  with  grape  and 
canister.  The  charge  went  over  our  heads  in  comparative 
harmlessness.  Only  a  few  of  our  men  were  injured.  Sum- 
moning up  the  very  last  bit  of  strength  we  had  left,  and 
using  a  part  of  that  to  yell  with,  we  charged  up  the  side  of 
the  hill,  over  the  stone  wall  and  upon  the  battery  still  smok- 
ing from  the  volley  intended  for  our  utter  destruction, 
capturing  two  guns  and  several  prisoners.  We  raised  a 
loud  shout  as  the  colors  of  the  loist  were  placed  between 
the  captured  guns.  We  all  understood  why  the  Rebel  gun- 
ners had  neglected  us — they  had  rather  more  than  they 
could  take  care  of  in  our  own  battery,  but  I  have  never 
heard  a  satisfactory  explanation  of  the  harmlessness  of  the 
dismounted  butternuts  behind  the  stone  wall.  We  found  no 
fault  with  them,  however. 

We  followed  the  enemy  to  the  south  entrance  of  the  gap, 
but  by  this  time  it  was  nearly  dark,  and  raining  hard.  No 
enemy  was  in  sight,  but  soon  a  voice  came  from  the  hillside 
some  distance  in  front  :  "  Here's  your  mule."  We  emptied 


A   NOVEL   EXPERIENCE.  77 

a  few  of  our  Springfields  at  them,  but  the  only  response  was 
a  repetition  of  the  Southern  classic,  "  Here's  your  mule." 
Darkness  falling,  our  picket  line  was  established,  and  the 
rest  of  us,  tentless,  tired,  and  wet,  rolled  ourselves  up  in  our 
blankets  and  lay  down  to  soak  and  sleep. 

Speaking  of  this  charge,  General  Davis  says  in  his  official 
report  of  the  campaign  :  "  Carlin's  Brigade  charged  the 
battery,  carried  the  heights  in  his  front  and  captured  two 
guns."  General  McCook,  referring  to  the  same  affair  said 
in  his  report :  "The  loist  Ohio  charged  the  battery  and 
captured  one  gun  with  caisson  and  teams." 

Long  before  daylight  next  morning  we  were  in  line  ready 
to  renew  hostilities.  But  with  the  dawn  came  a  dense  fog- 
so  dense  that  we  could  not  distinguish  friend  from  foe  at 
the  distance  of  a  few  hundred  feet.  Not  until  1 1  o'clock  did 
this  begin  to  lift.  As  soon  as  it  was  safe  the  army  moved 
forward  toward  Triune,  the  enemy  falling  slowly  and  sul- 
lenly back  toward  Murfreesboro'.  We  encamped  in  the 
woods  near  the  town,  where  we  remained  over  the  next  day, 
Sunday,  drying  out  and  writing  letters. 

We  had  a  novel  experience  here.  Quartermaster  Seney 
desiring  to  reward  us  for  having  been  such  good  boys  at 
Knob  Gap,  issued  wheat  flower  instead  of  hard-tack.  I  saw 
sights  the  like  of  which  I  had  never  seen  before.  We 
knew  not  what  to  do  with  the  flour.  Our  kitchen  furniture 
consisted  of  one  or  two  spiders  to  each  mess,  and  a  tin  cup 
and  canteen  apiece.  It  was  Sunday,  and  we  had  time  to 
experiment.  We  poured  the  flour  upon  our  rubber  blankets 
and  then  doused  it  with  water  till  it  was  wet — if  too  wet  we 
borrowed  and  tried  to  thicken  it,  or  went  partnership  with 
some  one  whose  flour  was  not  wet  enough.  When  mixed 
we  tried  to  bake  it.  Some  wrapped  it  around  ramrods  and 
set  it  up  to  roast  ;  some  fastened  it  in  a  wad  at  the  end  of 

*  Two  guns  were  captured. 


78  STORY    OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

the  ramrod  and  held  it  over  the  blazing  fire  ;  some  rolled  it 
in  paper  and  put  it  in  the  hot  ashes  ;  some  pegged  the  stuff 
to  trees  near  the  fire  and  swore  at  it.  A  few  henpecked 
married  fellows  made  passable  pancakes,  but  most  of  us  pre- 
ferred '  biscuit."  We  had  lots  of  fun  if  we  did  go  hungry. 


CHAPTER   IX. 

BATTLE   OF  STONE'S   RIVER. 

If,  leaving  our  biscuit-making  for  a  moment,  we  could 
have  looked  over  into  the  Confederate  camp  in  front  of 
Murf reesboro' ,  we  should  have  been  well  satisfied  that  Bragg 
intended  to  fight.  All  that  Sunday,  (Dec.  28th)  he  was  busy 
establishing  and  strengthening  his  lines,  and  preparing  for 
our  coming.  His  troops  had  been  called  in  from  Brady- 
ville,  Readyville,  Shelbyville,  and  Hagleville — his  whole 
army  was  going  into  position. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  29th,  we  took  up  our  line  of 
march  toward  our  left,  moving  by  way  of  the  Bole- Jack 
road.  We  knew  immediately,  that  we  were  headed  for 
Murfreesboro' — Speculation  ran  high  among  the  boys  as  to 
whether  Bragg  would  wait  for  us.  On  the  whole  we  rather 
thought  he  would.  The  recent  rains  had  rendered  this  road 
almost  impassable  in  some  places,  and  many  a  time  we  were 
obliged  to  put  our  shoulders  to  the  wheel  and  help  the 
artillery  out  of  the  mud.  At  length,  after  a  toilsome  day's 
march  wre  went  into  camp  quite  late.  Our  advance  had  met 
with  considerable  resistance,  especially  for  an  hour  or  two  be- 
fore dark.  The  possession  of  the  bridge  over  Overall's  Creek 
had  cost  a  severe  struggle,  but  it  remained  with  us.  We 
went  into  camp  Monday  night  between  Overall's  Creek  and 
the  Rebel  line  of  battle,  Woodruff's  Brigade  guarding  the 


LIEUT.  COL.  MOSES  F.  WOOSTER, 
KILLED  AT  BATTLE  OF  STONE'S  RIVER,  DECEMBER  31,  1862. 


80  STORY    OF    THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

the  bridge.  Johnson's  Division  was  on  the  right.  We  had 
marched  across  the  fields  in  which  our  cavalry  had  assailed 
and  defeated  the  Confederate  cavalry,  and  rumors  of  the 
conflict  were  confirmed  by  the  generally  demolished  condi- 
tion of  things.  All  were  agreed  by  this  time  that  Bragg 
was  going  to  fight. 

About  the  first  thing  we  did  after  going  into  camp,  wras 
to  "put  our  houses  in  order."  Many  of  us  went  through 
our  knapsacks  and  removed  letters  and  mementos  which  we 
would  not  wish  to  have  fall  into  rebel  hands,  for  who  could 
tell  what  the  next  day  might  bring  forth.  Tired  and 
hungry,  wre  lay  down  without  shelter  and  waited  for  the 
morning. 

Reveille  did  not  sound  on  the  morning  of  the  3Oth.  At 
three  o'clock  we  were  quietly  wakened  and  immediately 
formed  into  line.  Here  we  stood  in  almost  dead  silence 
until  daylight.  We  were  then  allowed  very  small  fires  care- 
fully concealed,  with  which  to  prepare  breakfast.  This  was 
soon  over,  and  in  a  short  time  we  were  ordered  forward. 
With  the  early  dawn  came  the  occasional  crack  of  musketry, 
as  pickets  exchanged  compliments,  and  now  and  1hen  the 
heavy  boom  of  cannon  off  to  our  left.  We  expected  trouble 
the  moment  we  attempted  to  advance.  In  front  of  us  was 
a  large  open  field  bordered  on  the  east  and  south  by  very 
dense  woods.  The  trees  were  large  and  very  close  together, 
admirably  adapted  for  purposes  of  defense.  Before  advanc- 
ing into  these  woods,  a  strong  skirmish  line  selected  from 
the  1 5th  Wisconsin,  under  command  of  Colonel  McKee  of 
that  regiment,  was  sent  forward  to  clear  the  way.  We 
followed  at  a  proper  distance.  This  skirmish  line  had  hot 
work  of  it,  before  we  had  gone  far.  The  rebels  contested 
every  inch  of  ground,  and  fell  back  only  when  compelled  to 
do  so.  It  was  very  evident  that  we  were  nearing  the  posi- 
tion selected  by  Bragg  for  his  final  stand.  So  exceedingly 


BATTLE  OF  STONE'S  RIVER.  81 

severe  was  this  skirmish  in  the  woods,  that  we  were  ordered 
to  pile  our  knapsacks,  reserving  only  our  overcoats  which 
we  wore,  and  blankets.  We  never  saw  nor  heard  of  our 
knapsacks  again.  They  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  rebels 
the  next  morning.  Our  skirmish  line  was  relieved  soon 
after  noon  by  a  fresh  detail  from  the  2ist  Illinois,  under 
command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  McMackin.  As  we  ad- 
vanced the  resistance  increased.  Many  wounded  were 
carried  to  the  rear  borne  on  stretchers  or  supported  on  the 
arms  of  comrades.  A  riderless  white  horse  dripping  with 
blood,  came  rushing  wildly  back  from  the  front,  and  rumors 
of  the  most  desperate  fighting  in  Sheridan's  front  reached 
us  constantly.  But  in  the  face  of  it  all  we  .steadily  advanced. 
The  character  of  the  woods  in  our  front  prevented  the  use 
of  artillery  until  we  had  driven  the  enemy  some  distance. 
Along  the  pike,  and  on  Sheridan's  front,  cannon  were  freely 
used.  As  we  advanced  we  gradually  came  into  a  dense 
cedar  thicket,  in  which  the  defending  party  had  all  the 
advantage.  Peering  through  this  underbrush,  he  could  gen- 
erally get  the  first  sight  of  his  opponent.  Many  an  encounter 
amounting  to  a  hand  to  hand  struggle  for  life  took  place  in 
these  bushes,  the  history  of  which  will  never  be  written. 
The  result  depended  largely  on  nerve  and  dexterity  after 
discovery.  Such  warfare  seemed  almost  like  murder.  But 
finally  we  had  them  out  of  the  woods,  and  forced  them  back 
far  enough  to  reveal  their  line  of  battle.  In  doing  this  we 
had  come  into  the  vicinity  of  the  Widow  Smith's  house, 
near  the  Franklin  'or  Triune  Road.  The  road  near  the 
house  runs  through  a  cut  and  is  otherwise  protected  by  a 
ridge  or  bank.  Back  of  this  bank  and  in  the  cut,  a  force 
of  rebels  had  been  secreted.  When  we  reached  the  opening 
in  front  of  the  Smith  house  these  rascals  gave  us  a  volley 
which,  for  a  moment,  staggered  the  2ist  Illinois,  which  re- 
ceived the  most  of  it.  As  soon  as  the  rebels  had  been  forced 


82  STORY    OF    THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

out  of  the  thickets,  our  Second  Minnesota  battery  galloped 
into  position  and  began  to  drum  the  main  Confederate  line. 
A  rebel  battery  well  posted  near  the  Smith  house  replied 
with  great  vigor,  and  fearing  our  artillery  might  be  charged, 
our  Regiment  was  pushed  close  up  to  our  battery  as  support. 
At  Perryville  and  at  Knob  Gap,  the  shells  went  over  our 
heads  ;  here  they  came  down  alarmingly  close.  We  hugged 
the  earth  upon  which  we  were  lying,  and  made  ourselves  as 
small  as  possible.  Brave  Colonel  Stem  stood  his  ground, 
nor  flinched.  Dear,  noble  man,  he  was  to  fall  next  morning. 
At  dark  we  fell  back  a  few  hundred  feet  and  took  our  place 
in  the  line  of  battle  wrhich  was  soon  established.  It  fell  to 
the  lot  of  Company  K,  Captain  Parcher,  to  picket  in  front 
of  our  Regiment  that  night.  The  two  armies — their  battle 
lines — were  less  than  fifteen  hundred  feet  apart.  It  was  a 
very  delicate  matter  to  establish  and  post  the  pickets, 
but  by  the  exercise  of  great  care  and  by  going  ' '  on  all 
fours"  part  of  the  way,  we  were  finally  in  proper  shape. 
By  mutual,  though  tacit  consent,  there  was  no  firing  during 
the  night. 

All  night  long  we  could  hear  the  movement  of  troops 
and  artillery  to  our  right.  So  serious  did  this  seem 
to  us  that  we  several  times  sent  word  to  Regimental 
headquarters  calling  attention  to  the  fact.  Colonel  Stem 
forwarded  the  report  to  Brigade,  Division  and  Corps  head- 
quarters, but  nothing  was  done  about  it.  Similar  reports 
were  sent  from  other  parts  of  the  picket  line,  but  to  no 
effect.  To  this  day  it  seems  strange  that  no  attention  was 
given  this  matter.  The  very  existence  of  the  army  was 
jeopardized  by  the  failure  to  do  so. 

Rosecrans  announced  his  plan  of  battle  for  the  next  day 
to  his  Corps  commanders  who  met  him  about  n  o'clock  on 
the  night  of  the  3oth.  McCook  was  to  hold  the  enemy  in 
check,  and  if  necessary,  he  was  to  fall  slowly  back.  With 


BATTLE   OF   STONE'S   RIYER.  83 

our  Left,  Crittenden  was  to  attack  the  rebel  Right,  drive  it 
back  from  the  river,  and  press  them  into  and  through 
Murfreesboro'.  As  soon  as  Crittenden  was  well  started,  our 
Center,  under  Thomas,  was  to  advance  stoutly,  and  aid  in 
the  rout  of  the  enemy.  They  were  to  be  swung  around 
and  cornered  between  McCook  and  Overall's  Creek.  This 
move  was  to  commence  sharply  at  7  o'clock.  McCook  was 
especially  cautioned  to  look  to  his  lines,  as  he  was  depended 
on  to  hold  the  rebel  Left,  while  Crittenden  and  the  rest 
rolled  their  Right  back  in  disaster. 

The  day's  developments  had  convinced  the  rebel  Com- 
mander that  he  could  crush  our  Right,  and  roll  it  back  in 
disaster  cornering  our  army  between  Stone's  River  and 
Overall's  Creek.  This  plan  was  announced  to  Bragg's  Corps 
commanders  about  the  same  hour  that  Rosecrans  announced 
his.  It  will  be  seen  that  his  plan  was  the  exact  counter- 
part of  Rosecrans'.  But  Bragg  ordered  the  assault  to  be  made 
at  daylight.  He  thus  got  the  start  and  viciously  held  it 
all  day.  Rosecrans,  in  order  to  induce  Bragg  to  weaken  his 
force  in  front  of  our  Left,  ordered  McCook  to  build  fires  far 
to  our  Right,  to  give  the  impression  that  our  lines  extended 
further  in  that  direction  than  they  really  did.  Bragg,  in 
order  to  have  troops  in  readiness  at  daylight,  to  crush  our 
Right  sent  a  large  force  in  that  direction,  whether  fooled  by 
our  fires  or  not,  does  not  appear. 

These  meetings  broke  up — the  Corps  commanders  on 
each  side  went  to  their  respective  headquarters,  communi- 
cated with  their  Division  commanders,  and  at  daylight, 
instead  of  7  o'clock,  the  ball  was  opened  by  Bragg  and  not 
by  Rosecrans,  though  at  the  appointed  hour  Crittenden 
advanced,  cleared  his  front,  and  was  carrying  everything 
before  him  toward  Murfreesboro'.  Depending  on  McCook 
to  hold  our  Right,  Rosecrans  saw  his  plan  working  like  a 
charm.  Our  Center  was  firm,  but  the  sound  of  heavy  fight- 


84  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

ing  far  to  our  right  disturbed  the  Commander-in-Chief. 
There  was  too  much  of  it.  The  roar  of  artillery  seemed  to 
be  growing  further  to  the  westward  and  nearer.  Soon  a 
messenger  brought  the  news  of  the  crushing  of  our  Right. 
Our  victorious  L,eft  had  to  be  recalled,  and  dispositions 
instantly  made  to  stem  the  tide  of  defeat. 

On  the  Right,  matters  had  indeed  taken  a  most  serious 
turn.  The  tacit  armistice  between  our  pickets  and  the  rebels 
in  our  immediate  front,  was  dissolved  with  the  first  rays  of 
the  morning.  Each  man  took  to  his  tree  or  his  log  and 
warily  ' '  looked  out ' '  both  for  himself  and  his  antagonist. 
The  firing  was  brisk  as  soon  as  we  could  see.  The  early 
and  vigorous  advance  of  the  rebel  line  made  it  necessary 
to  recall  our  picket  line — indeed  we  were  unceremoni- 
ously driven  in,  a  number  of  our  boys  being  badly  wounded 
before  we  reached  our  place  in  the  line  of  battle,  a  few  hun- 
dred feet  back  of  us.  Although  the  rebel  line  did  not  at 
once  assail  us — they  were  awaiting  further  developments  on 
our  right — their  sharpshooters  and  a  heavy  skirmish  line 
poured  a  destructive  fire  into  us.  Colonel  Stem  called  for 
volunteers  to  silence  them.  Several  arose,  (we  were  lying 
flat  on  the  ground),  one  of  whom,  Adam  Sherer,  was  shot 
and  instantly  killed,  and  a  number  of  others  were  more  or 
less  seriously  wounded.  At  the  same  instant,  the  rebel  main 
line  advanced  and  opened  on  us  at  short  range.  Their  fire 
was  terrible,  but  ours  must  have  been  more  so,  for  we  re- 
pulsed them  in  fine  shape.  But  many  of  our  boys  were 
down. 

In  the  few  minutes'  lull  that  followed,  we  could  hear  all 
too  distinctly  the  roar  of  the  fight  on  our  right.  Knowing 
that  large  masses  of  troops  and  artillery  had  been  sent  in 
that  direction  by  the  enemy  during  the  night,  we  feared  the 
ominous  sounds  that  rolled  up  through  the  woods  from  that 
part  of  the  field. 


LIEUTENANT  JOHN   B.   BIDDLE, 

COMPANY   C. 
KILLED  AT  BATTLE  OF  STONE'S  RIVKR,  DECEMBER  31, 1862. 


86  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

But  the  foe  in  our  front  was  upon  us  again  like  demons 
— and  again  we  sent  them  back  after  a  half  hour's  contest. 
The  few  minutes'  lull  that  ensued  revealed  to  us  the  fact 
that  the  fighting  far  to  our  right  was  still  further  to  the 
rear.  We  realized  that  Johnson  was  giving  way.  The 
heavy  roll  of  cannon  on  Crittenden's  front  came  to  us,  also, 
from  the  extreme  left  of  our  army. 

For  some  reason  we  were  moved  a  short  distance  to  our 
left,  not  many  rods,  however.  Our  new  position  brought 
the  line  of  our  Regiment  across  a  great  flat  rock,  as  level  as 
a  floor  almost,  and  flush  with  the  surface  of  the  ground. 
There  were  loose  rocks  also  lying  around.  Before  we  had 
fully  reached  our  new  position,  the  rebel  lines  again  ad- 
vanced, but  were  rather  more  respectful — they  did  not  come 
so  close.  We  opened  a  galling  and  to  all  appearances  a 
very  discouraging  fire  upon  them.  The  affair  was  exceed- 
ingly hot,  the  firing  being  almost  continuous  for  what 
seemed  to  be  a  long  time. 

It  was  during  this  terrible  assault  that  Colonel  Stem  fell 
at  the  head  of  his  Regiment,  mortally  wounded.  Brave,  un- 
flinching, cool,  and  determined,  his  was  an  example  of  devo- 
tion and  daring  worthy  the  emulation  of  the  bravest  of  the 
brave.  A  heroic  eflort  was  made  to  bear  him  from  the  field, 
but  he  was  too  badly  wounded,  and  the  almost  unheard  of 
fierceness  of  the  assault  made  this  impossible. 

In  one  of  the  few  lulls,  the  roaring  of  the  battle  close  at 
hand  on  our  left,  under  Sheridan,  inspired  us.  Some  of  us 
listened  for  the  sounds  on  the  right,  but  there  was  an  omin- 
ous silence  in  that  direction  at  that  moment.  The  time  for 
such  reflections  and  observations  was  but  momentary,  for 
again  the  conflict  was  on  in  our  own  front.  We  held  our 
ground,  not  yielding  one  inch  until  we  were  assailed  on  our 
right  flank,  and  until  we  were  fired  upon  from  the  rear.  It 
would  be  madness  to  remain  longer,  and  the  order  was 


BATTLE   OF   STONE'S   RIVER.  87 

given  to  fall  back.  It  was  during  this  fierce  struggle  that 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Wooster  fell  wounded  unto  death.  He 
was  borne  some  distance  to  the  rear,  but  the  flank  move- 
ment of  the  enemy  made  it  impossible  to  take  him  far. 
"  Put  me  down,  boys,  and  rally  to  the  support  of  the  flag," 
said  he.  Circumstances  which  we  were  powerless  to  control, 
made  this  necessary,  and  he,  too,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy.  Comrade  Lepper  of  Company  I,  who  was  also 
wounded,  was  captured  with  him,  and  remained  with  him 
until  he  died. 

The  history  of  the  disaster  to  our  extreme  Right  is  known 
to  all.  With  the  routing  of  Johnson,  Davis'  right  was  ex- 
posed. Post's  Brigade,  forming  the  right  of  Davis'  line, 
fought  stubbornly,  but  was  compelled  to  give  way.  This 
exposed  Carlin's  right,  and  enabled  the  rebels  to  fire  upon 
us  almost  from  the  rear.  We  had  all  we  could  take  care  of 
directly  in  front  of  us,  and  we  would  have  held  that  line 
until  now — but  assailed  in  front,  flank  and  rear,  we  did  well 
to  fall  back  when  we  did.  Woodruff  at  once  followed.  All 
this  endangered  Sheridan's  right,  and  soon  made  it  neces- 
sary for  him  to  readjust  his  line,  throwing  his  right  Brigade 
considerably  back,  and  facing  it  more  to  the  south.  He 
was  soon  compelled  to  readjust  his  whole  line,  pivoting  it 
on  his  left. 

Thus  far  we  had  been  fighting  in  the  woods.  Back  of 
us  an  eighth  of  a  mile  was  an  open  cotton  field,  extending 
westerly  and  northerly  to  \voods  that  bordered  it  on  these 
two  sides.  In  the  southern  edge  of  this  field,  just  back  of 
a  fence  which  separated  it  from  the  woods,  we  formed  our 
second  line.  It  proved,  however,  to  be  as  untenable  as  our 
former  position,  and  for  the  same  reason.  The  Confederates 
were  squarely  on  our  flank,  and  were  protected  by  the  fence 
along  the  Griscom  road,  behind  which  they  were  sheltering 
themselves,  and  from  between  the  rails  of  which  they  were 


88  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

deliberately  murdering  us.  We  were  also  followed  through 
the  woods  by  the  troops  with  which  we  had  fought  before 
falling  back.  As  we  formed  our  second  line,  two  of  our 
batteries,  the  Second  Minnesota  and  Houghtelling's,  took 
position  on  an  eminence  on  the  northern  edge  of  the  cotton 
field.  We  were  soon  ordered  to  fall  back  to  the  woods  near 
the  batteries.  It  took  a  deal  of  pluck  to  do  this  with  the 
enemy  on  two  sides  of  us,  flushed  with  victory  and  num- 
bering three  to  our  one  at  this  stage  of  the  game.  We 
reached  the  other  side  in  good  time,  and  promptly  formed 
our  line.  Our  Brigade  was  honored  at  this  moment  by  the 
presence  of  Generals  Carlin,  Davis  and  McCook.  The  lat- 
ter bravely  encouraged  the  boys  to  hold  the  line  at  all 
hazards — said  he  had  sent  for  re-enforcements  and  that  we 
should  soon  drive  the  rascals  back.  Scarcely  had  he  uttered 
his  words  of  cheer,  when  a  rebel  bullet  struck  his  horse's 
shoulder,  causing  the  blood  to  spurt  over  the  general's  lap 
and  legs.  He  was  a  large,  fleshy  man,  slow  of  motion,  but 
he  dismounted  as  quickly  as  the  lightest  trooper  a-horse. 
Our  battery  pounded  the  rebels  terribly,  but  on  they  came, 
great  columns  of  them  still  further  to  our  right  and  rear. 
They  were  within  easy  musket  range,  but  our  ammunition 
was  running  low.  With  the  falling  back  of  Post's  and  Car- 
lin's  Brigades,  Woodruff's  lines  were  doubled  up  and  his 
position  so  changed  that  Carlin' s  left  no  longer  touched  his 
right.  There  was  serious  danger  that  Carlin  might  be  cut 
off  from  the  possibility  of  retreat.  Two  rebel  batteries 
wheeled  into  position  at  this  instant  near  the  Griscom  road, 
and  raked  our  lines  and  hammered  our  batteries  in  a  ter- 
rible way. 

Our  artillery  replied  with  great  spirit,  and  we  gave 
their  infantry  the  best  the  range  would  allow.  The  rascals 
in  front  of  us  were  in  no  hurry  to  charge  across  the  open 
cotton  field,  and,  to  tell  the  truth,  we  were  not  at  all  anxious 


S.   B.  ANWAY, 

COMPANY   H. 

From   photograph  taken   in   1894. 


90  STORY    OF    THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

to  have  them  do  so.  Johnson's  whole  Division  was  out  of 
sight ;  Post  had  been  driven  off  the  field ;  Carlin  was  the 
extreme  right  of  the  Union  arm y,  and  was  greatly  out- 
numbered in  flank  and  in  front.  There  was  but  one  thing 
to  do,  and  we  did  it — we  fell  back.  We  did  so  in  an  or- 
derly way — acting  deliberately  and  according  to  orders. 
But  how  or  when  our  trouble  would  end,  we  had  not  the 
slightest  idea.  Off  to  the  west  of  our  organized  lines, 
across  an  open  field,  we  could  see  bodies  of  troops  which 
we  took  to  be  rebels,  as  they  doubtless  were.  The  fear  of 
a  rush  by  the  enemy's  cavalry  caused  considerable  excite- 
ment at  one  time,  but  such  a  calamity  was  not  added  to  our 
misfortunes.  The  line  of  our  retreat  .seemed  to  be  guided 
by  the  noise  of  the  battle  raging  in  great  fury  along  the 
center  of  our  army.  In  view  of  the  terrible  experiences  of 
the  morning  we  listened  in  dismay  to  the  dreadful  roar  of 
the  conflict  that  seemed  to  shake  both  earth  and  heaven. 
In  this  horrid  din,  the  most  horrid  of  all  was  the  unearthly 
yelling  of  charging  columns  as  they  rushed  upon  each  other 
with  bayonet  and  sword.  We  seemed  to  have  been  trans- 
ported from  earth  to  the  very  gates  of  Hell,  toward  the 
open  portals  of  which  wre  seemed  to  be  forced  by  the  still 
greater  danger  that  lurked  in  the  woods  and  fields  to  the 
south  and  west  of  us 

Our  batteries,  of  course,  retreated  when  we  withdrew 
from  our  third  position — one  of  them,  Houghtelling's.  soon 
after  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  Our  retreat  was  be- 
set with  dangers  on  every  hand,  and  had  to  be  conducted 
with  great  skill  and  caution.  Reaching  the  Wilkinson 
Pike,  we  formed  our  line  of  battle,  our  fourth  position, 
under  the  shelter  of  a  rail  fence,  and  determined  again  to 
give  battle  to  the  enemy  still  crowding  us  on  flank  and 
front.  It  seemed  useless — our  line  was  so  short,  so  light 
every  way.  But  it  was  against  nature  to  go  one  step  fur- 


BATTLE   OF  STONE'S    RIVER.  9 1 

ther  without  stopping  to  show  our  teeth,  and  if  possible 
check  the  victorious  foe.  We  knew  well,  and  so  did  they, 
that  our  Right  was  crushed,  that  it  was  all  important  for 
them  to  gain  the  Nashville  Pike,  on  which  were  huddled 
our  ammuniiton  trains,  the  destruction  of  which  would 
most  effectually  quiet  our  guns  and  make  us  their  prisoners. 
What  wonder,  then,  that  they  should  advance  in  such  force 
and  with  such  confidence.  The  final  victory  seemed  to 
them  to  be  almost  within  grasp.  At  the  word  of  command, 
our  line  of  battle  was  formed  for  the  fourth  time  on  that 
dreadful  morning.  There  was  no  excitement — we  were  not 
panic  stricken.  Bach  man  looked  deliberately  to  his  gun 
and  awaited  the  storm  which  was  sure  to  fall.  Our  ammu- 
nition was  scarce,  and  we  were  ordered  to  fire  only  at  very 
close  range.  The  sharpshooters  and  skirmishers  soon  ap- 
peared in  view,  closely  followed  by  the  rebel  line  of  battle. 
On  they  came,  nor  halted  until  they  were  within  easy  range. 
On  their  left  were  other  columns,  still  continuing  that  flank 
movement  that  had  proved  so  eminently  successful  since 
daylight.  For  our  light  line,  consisting  of  a  few  hundred 
men,  to  attempt  to  check  such  a  host  were  madness.  The 
Confederate  line  was  so  close  that  we  could  distinctly  hear 
the  commands  of  the  loud-mouthed  colonel  conducting  the 
column.  He  was  one  of  the  most  profane  wretches  we  had 
ever  heard.  Every  order  was  profusely  garnished  with 
great,  full-grown  oaths  of  pure  Southern  extraction,  even 
to  the  accent.  We  were  almost  terrified  at  such  language, 
but  every  man  in  his  command  obeyed  as  promptly  as  a 
whipped  spaniel.  Seeing  the  hopelessness  of  our  position, 
we  gave  them  one  deliberate  volley,  then  continued  our  re- 
treat. Our  pace  was  doubtless  somewhat  accelerated  by 
the  volley  which  the  profane  rebel  commander  was  swear- 
ing out  when  we  left  him. 

The  line  of  our  retreat  carried  us  in  a  northerly  direc- 


92  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

tion.  We  were  constantly  in  the  presence  of  the  enemy, 
with  more  or  less  skirmishing,  usually  at  long  range,  until 
we  reached  the  Nashville  Pike.  Approaching  this,  they 
very  properly  halted,  readjusted  their  lines  and  prepared 
for  serious  business.  Our  swearing  colonel  was  not  within 
hearing  distance  for  some  little  time. 

As  we  emerged  from  the  woods  and  crossed  the  pike,  a 
half  mile  west  of  the  intersection  of  the  pike  and  the  rail- 
road, we  felt  a  sense  of  relief.  Surely  we  had  finally 
reached  the  utmost  limit  to  which  the  Lord  would  allow  us 
to  be  driven.  Moreover,  the  most  vigorous  preparations 
were  being  made  to  check  the  tide  of  defeat  on  our  right. 
We  halted  between  the  pike  and  the  railroad,  and  awaited 
developments.  Of  the  four  hundred  brave  boys  who  had 
stood  shoulder  to  shoulder  early  in  the  morning,  many  were 
dead,  many  others  were  dying,  hundreds  were  wounded  or 
prisoners,  scores  were  missing — only  eighteen  were  with 
the  colors  as  we  stood  there,  Major  Kirby  at  that  hour  in 
command  of  the  regiment,  and  Adjutant  L,en  D.  Smith 
being  of  the  number.  The  dear  old  Regiment  had  been 
hammered  front  and  flank  and  rear,  until  scarcely  a  color- 
guard  remained.  It  was  not  yet  noon. 

Almost  at  the  same  instant  that  we  crossed  the  pike 
Beatty's  Brigade  of  Van  Cleve's  Division  came  dashing 
down  from  the  left  at  double  quick,  and  formed  instantly  a 
few  rods  south  of  the  pike.  Fixing  bayonets,  they  waited, 
but  not  long.  Our  little  Regiment — its  numbers  slowly  in- 
creasing by  the  arrival  of  boys  who  in  retreating  had  swung 
too  far  to  the  west  to  keep  with  the  colors — joined  Beatty's 
right,  determined  to  share  their  fate,  come  w7hat  would. 
Harker's  Brigade  had  already  passed  still  further  to  the 
right.  On  the  left  of  Beatty's  splendid  column  was  the 
remainder  of  Van  Cleve's  Division,  and  on  Van  Cleve's 
left  was  Rouseau.  The  new  line  thus  quickly  formed  was 


BATTLE   OF   STONE'S   RIVER.  93 

destined  soon  to  engage  in  some  of  the  severest  fighting  of 
that  bloody  day.  The  crushing  of  our  Right  had  so  exposed 
Sheridan  that  he  was  compelled  to  face  almost  south,  instead 
of  east  as  at  the  beginning.  Indeed  his  extreme  right 
faced  the  west,  and  the  movements  of  the  enemy  soon  made 
even  this  position  untenable.  He  established  a  new  line 
still  further  back,  facing  almost  south,  and  nearly  at  right 
angles  with  Thomas'  line,  to  meet  which,  the  Center  was 
thrown  considerably  back. 

The  genius  of  Rosecrans  was  nowhere  more  conspicu- 
ously displayed  than  in  the  establishment  of  his  new  line  in 
the  face  of  the  most  desperate  fighting,  and  in  spite  of  a 
victorious  foe.  Rouseau  first  flying  into  the  face  of  the 
enemy  and  staggering  him,  fell  quickly  into  his  new  position  ; 
the  Left  under  Crittenden  adjusted  itself  to  its  shortened 
line,  and  sent  Barker's  Brigade  and  Van  Cleve's  Division  to 
the  right,  as  detailed  above. 

The  new  lines  thus  hastily  but  most  splendidly  formed, 
had  not  long  to  wait.  Cleburne's  Division,  fresh  and  con- 
fident, was  in  position  and  ready  for  assault.  To  his  right 
and  facing  Rouseau's  left  was  McCown's  Division  flushed 
with  victory  and  ready  for  the  final  and  crowning  assault, 
Soon  after  noon  the  storm  broke.  With  a  wild  yell,  the 
enemy  debouched  from  the  cedar  thickets  in  our  front, 
forming  as  they  came.  The  left  of  their  line  charged  first, 
the  assault  falling  upon  Harker.  His  command  was  ready 
and  waiting.  Then  Beatty,  with  words  more  forcible  than 
elegant,  encouraged  and  threatened  his  men.  Not  a  man 
was  to  fire  until  he  gave  the  command.  He  who  disobeyed 
would  instantly  die.  An  officer  who  would  permit  disobed- 
ience would  suffer  the  same  fate.  On  came  the  same  inso- 
lent foe  that  had  driven  us  all  the  morning.  Beatty's  men 
stood  at  a  "  ready  "  and  although  many  of  them  were  fall- 
ing, not  a  man  discharged  a  musket.  The  enemy  was 


94  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

alarmingly  near,  when  the  order  to  fire  was  given.  The 
aim  had  been  deliberate  and  deadly,  and  great  numbers  of 
the  enemy  bit  the  dust  when  the  volley  was  delivered. 

' '  Forward — Charge  !  ' '  and  the  splendid  line  leaped 
forward,  the  remnants  of  our  own  good  Regiment,  joining 
their  right.  The  Confederate  line  halted — it  looked  sur- 
prised, but  fought  viciously.  The  officers  made  great  efforts 
to  move  them  forward.  With  a  yell  as  unearthly  as  ever 
escaped  from  human  throats,  Beatty  rushed  upon  them  with 
the  bayonet.  Not  even  our  swearing  rebel  Colonel  could 
hold  his  men,  The  line  broke  and  fled  in  confusion — Beatty 
at  their  heels  at  every  jump. 

At  the  same  time  that  Beatty  so  effectually  astonished 
that  part  of  Cleburn's  line,  which  came  at  him  on  the  pike, 
the  troops  both  to  the  right  and  left  of  him,  assailed  the 
enemy  with  equal  force,  and  immediately  the  rebel  advance 
came  to  an  end — indeed  they  were  rolled  back  in  consider- 
able haste  and  not  a  little  confusion.  It  was  a  critical 
moment  and  the  Union  boys  fought  like  tigers  ;  the  Con- 
federates understood  it  too,  and  fought  most  desperately. 
There  was  no  straggling,  no  hesitation.  It  was  cold  blooded 
pluck  and  irresistible  dash  with  bayonet  and  sword.  But 
victory  rested  with  the  Stars  and  Stripes,  and  the  hateful 
rebel  rag  finally  went  down  on  our  Right.  Thank  God,  a 
remnant  of  the  loist  was  in  at  the  death. 

Later  in  the  afternoon  Breckinridge  attempting  to  ad- 
vance his  lines,  got  into  trouble,  was  whipped,  and  fell 
back  into  his  old  position  near  the  redout.  It  was  now 
night,  and  the  troops  of  both  armies  slept  in  line  without 
fires.  The  night  was  cold  and  clear,  and  we  suffered  quite 
severely.  Our  number  had  increased  so  that  we  had  by 
this  time  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  in  line. 

Immediately  after  the  repulse  referred  to  above,  General 
Rosecrans  sought  to  further  improve  his  line  of  battle.  It 


LEWIS   LOWE, 

COMPANY   E. 

KILLED  AT  BATTLE  OF  STONE'S  RIVER,  DECEMBER  31,  1862. 

Engraved  from   photograph. 


96  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

was  therefore  moved  forward  until  it  extended  around  the 
base  of  a  slight  eminence,  and  from  the  railroad  on  the  right, 
around  to  a  point  about  250  yards  in  rear  of  the  position 
held  by  Thomas  during  the  day.  From  here  the  line 
extended  northerly  to  the  river,  with  strong  guards  at  the 
fords.  This  arrangement  greatly  concentrated  the  Union 
lines,  and  made  it  possible  to  use  the  artillery  to  excellent 
advantage.  The  fighting  on  the  right  had  been  largely  in 
the  woods  where  artillery  could  not  be  used  to  any  great 
extent. 

A  large  Confederate  force,  had  made  itself  very  objec- 
tionable in  the  rear  of  our  army.  These  rascals  had  delib- 
erately ridden  around  our  flank  and  had  struck  the  line  of 
our  communication  with  Nashville,  spreading  consternation 
among  the  teamsters,  and  the  small  guards  accompanying 
the  different  sections  of  the  train.  Charging,  they  easily 
captured  a  portion  of  the  train,  burning  many  wagons  and 
destroying  many  supplies,  among  which  were  the  rations  of 
the  icist  for  the  next  three  days.  The  rebel  victory  here 
was,  however,  of  short  duration,  for  our  own  cavalry 
happened  that  way  and  entered  so  urgent  a  protest  that  our 
friends,  the  enemy,  were  glad  to  get  away  alive — they  did 
not  all  succeed  even  in  that.  Quite  a  number  of  our  boys, 
who  had  been  captured,  were  very  fortunately  for  them,  re- 
captured. The  rebels  had,  however,  done  great  damage 
before  they  had  been  driven  off.  I  have  since  made  the 
personal  acquaintance  of  one  of  the  Captains  of  the  Confed- 
erate cavalry,  engaged  in  this  piece  of  business,  |and  find 
him  to  be  a  most  generous  and  refined  gentleman,  far  above 
doing  such  things  now  days. 

Our  hearts  were  filled  with  great  sadness  as  we  looked 
up  and  down  the  shortened  line  that  cold  evening.  Bach 
man  contributed  his  item  of  information  as  to  the  cause  of 
this  one's  and  that  one's  absence  from  the  ranks.  We 


BATTLE   OF   STONE  S    RIVER.  97 

could  account  for  many,  but  not  for  all.  Colonels  Stem 
and  Wooster,  and  Lieutenants  Biddle  and  Hillyear,  and 
many,  very  many  of  the  boys  were  dead  or  mortally 
wounded,  scores  were  reported  as  being  more  or  less 
seriously  wounded,  or  captured.  Many  were  in  hospital, 
and  not  a  few  were  missing. 

Our  Division — a  shadow  of  its  former  self — occupied  the 
extreme  right  of  our  new  line. 

The  night  was  bitter  cold — we  could  have  no  fires,  but 
for  that  matter  the  Johnnies  couldn't  either.  Some  of  our 
boys  thought  to  have  a  small  one — and  gathering  closely 
around  the  spot  selected,  started  it.  General  McCook 
happened  to  be  passing  that  way,  saw  the  blaze,  and  rode 
up  to  make  a  fuss  about  it.  He  ordered  it  out  instantly 
and  threatened  the  arrest  of  every  man  engaged  in  the 
affair. 

At  the  same  instant  a  rebel  shell  came  sailing  up  out 
of  the  darkness,  and  gave  decided  emphasis  to  the  General's 
orders.  The  fire  went  out  and  we  continued  to  shake  with 
the  cold.  Another  little  company  was  more  successful 
about  2  o'clock  in  the  morning.  We  were  almost  stiff  with 
the  cold.  Digging  a  hole  in  the  ground  about  eighteen 
inches  deep  and  two  feet  square,  we  started  a  fire  in  it,  taking 
as  much  care  to  guard  it  from  the  eyes  of  our  own  officers  as 
from  the  rebel  gunners.  It  was  not  very  satisfactory,  but 
was  very  much  better  than  nothing.  Captain  Parcher  told 
us  how  the  thing  had  once  been  done  by  some  soldiers  who 
ought  to  have  been  sent  to  the  guard-house  for  it.  He 
called  several  times  to  order  the  fire  out,  stopping  each  time 
long  enough  to  toast  his  shins  and  warm  his  hands. 

"  I'll  be  back  again  after  a  little,  boys,  and  if  this  fire  is 
not  out ' '  with  threatening  tones. 

"All  right,  Captain,  we'll  always  have  a  place  for 
you.  But  don't  tell  any  one." 


98  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

Sure  enough,  he  came  in  a  short  time,  shivering  with 
the  eold  but  trying  to  glower  at  us. 

"Did  I  not  order  you  to  put  the  fire  out?"  said  he, 
standing  astride  the  ''furnace"  and  rubbing  his  hands  at 
the  same  time. 

"  Tell  us  about  the  Battle  of  Pea  Ridge  and  your  fight- 
ing mit  Siegel,"  said  some  thoughtful  soul  among  us.  This 
started  him  and  our  fire  was  safe.  Shortly  before  daylight, 
he  aided  us  to  put  out  the  fire  and  fill  the  hole.  We  hadn't 
slept  much,  but  we  had  kept  comparatively  warm,  and  bet- 
ter yet,  we  had  broken  a  positive  order. 

The  night  had  not  been  entirely  without  incident. 
Occasionally  a  crazy  rebel  gunner  would  send  a  shell  over 
our  way,  and  occasionally  a  shot  or  two  would  be  sent  their 
way.  Around  toward  our  center  there  was  a  little  musketry 
at  one  time,  but  nothing  especially  came  of  it.  Between 
the  lines  lay  a  few  wounded  men  whose  cries,  as  their 
bloody  wounds  stiffened  in  the  cold,  excited  our  sympathy. 
We  tried  to  relieve  them,  but  were  fired  upon,  and  had  to 
give  it  up.  After  daylight  tacit  consent  was  given  by  both 
sides,  and  the  poor  fellows  were  cared  for.  In  the  afternoon 
a  portion  of  the  Regiment  was  sent  off  toward  the  left,  to 
,  strengthen  the  picket-skirmish  line  in  that  quarter.  The 
boys  on  post  did  their  whole  duty,  but  those  at  the  picket 
station  worked  hard  to  keep  warm  around  a  little  fire  in  a 
great  chimney  in  a  log  hut.  Some  climbed  into  the  loft, 
kicked  a  hole  through  the  sticks  of  which  the  chimney  was 
built,  and  with  their  feet  and  legs  hanging  [down  in  the 
smoke,  lay  back  and  slept  until  after  roll-call jiext  morning. 
The  entire  day,  New  Year's,  had  been  comparatively 
quiet,  although  Bragg  had  been  "trying"  our  lines  to 
satisfy  himself  that  Rosecrans  was  really  present  in  force. 
Thomas,  and  our  Right  responded  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
satisfy  him,  for  the  time  being,  at  least. 


DR.  JAMES  A.   NORTON, 

COMPANY   K. 


100  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

After  aiding  most  gloriously  in  repelling  the  Confederate 
assault  on  our  Right,  Wednesday  afternoon,  Marker  and 
Van  Cleve  were  returned  to  the  Left,  their  places  being 
taken  by  Starkweather  and  Walker,  who  had  been  doing 
duty  in  the  rear. 

Crittenden  was  ordered  on  Thursday,  January  ist,  to  send 
Van  Cleve' s  Division,  now  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
Samuel  Beatty,  across  the  river  to  occupy  a  crest  near  the 
lower  ford,  from  which,  if  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  great 
damage  might  be  done  our  Left.  To  the  surprise  of  all,  this 
movement  and  occupation  was  effected  without  opposition 
on  the  part  of  the  enemy.  Indeed,  the  enemy  were  not 
aware  of  the  change  of  our  line  until  several  hours  after  it 
had  been  made. 

The  next  morning,  January  2nd,  Bragg  detemined  to 
ascertain  again,  whether  Rosecrans  were  present  in  force,  or 
whether  after  all,  he  were  not  playing  a  huge  bluff.  When 
the  Reverend  General  Polk  organized  his  force  to  see 
whether  Thomas  was  there  or  not,  the  latter  General  proved 
to  be  so  much  there  that  the  Reverend  General  could  not 
even  get  his  assaulting  column  out  of  the  woods.  He  re- 
ported to  Bragg  that  he  thought  Thomas  was  still  there. 
Cleburn  and  McCown  were  able  to  make  the  same  report 
concerning  our  Right.  Bragg  was  now  fully  satisfied  that 
Rosecrans  had  not  even  tried  to  run  away.  What  he  was  to 
do  under  the  circumstances,  was  a  conundrum.  He  must 
do  something,  and  that  right  away.  He  had  driven  our 
Right  terribly  on  Wednesday  morning,  but  aside  from  that 
and  since  that  time  he  had  accomplished  not  one  thing. 
He  at  once  decided  to  assail  our  Left.  To  insure  success  he 
would  make  as  much  noise  as  possible  along  our  Center 
and  Right,  so  as  to  hold  our  present  forces  there,  whi'e 
with  all  the  troops  he  could  possibly  gather,  he  would  fall 
upon  Crittenden,  crush  our  Left,  fall  upon  our  rear,  and 


BATTLE   OF   STONE'S   RIVER.  LOT 

finish  us  up  in  great  shape.  Just  what  the  Union  army  was 
to  do  while  he  was  accomplishing  all  this  we  were  not 
informed  by  the  Confederate  Commander. 

It  was  arranged  that  Breckinridge,  who  was  on  the  east 
side  of  the  river,  facing  our  Left,  whose  Corps  had  not  been 
very  seriously  engaged  in  battle  thus  far,  although  they  had 
done  some  marching,  was  to  undertake  the  great  movement 
referred  to,  that  of  crushing  Crittenden.  Fearing  that 
Rosecrans  might  attempt  to  assume  the  aggressive  and 
carry  out  his  original  plan  of  battle,  Bragg  had  as  early  as 
Wednesday  night,  the  3ist,  ordered  two  Divisions  over  to 
his  right  to  strengthen  Breckinridge  in  that  quarter.  On 
the  afternoon  of  the  2nd,  he  ordered  several  other  Brigades 
to  the  same  part  of  the  field,  preparatory  to  the  grand 
assault  set  for  the  afternoon.  As  an  initiatory  step,  the 
Confederate  cavalry  was  sent  off  to  our  extreme  Left  for  the 
purpose  of  threatening  something  or  somebody.  It  went  so 
far  as  to  be  entirely  out  of  the  way.  While  making  this 
move,  some  of  the  officers  discovered  Beatty's  Division  in 
line  on  the  east  side  of  Stone's  River.  This  was  immedi- 
ately reported  to  Bragg,  who  is  said  to  have  become  quite 
excited  over  the  affair.  The  surface  of  the  country  in 
Breckinridge's  vicinity  was  such  that  he  could  not  hide  his 
movements.  His  purposes  were  at  once  divined  by  Rose- 
crans and  vigorous  steps  were  taken  to  match  him.  Rose- 
crans, possessing  this  information,  was  not  alarmed  at  the 
feints  of  Polk  and  McCown  later  on  when  Breckinridge 
was  ready  to  move.  Indeed  these  feints  were  a  notice  to 
him  that  the  Confederate  column  was  ready  to  storm  our 
position.  In  the  midst  of  the  bluster  in  our  own  front  he 
had  no  hesitation  in  ordering  Davis'  Division  over  to  the 
Left  on  double  quick.  We  arrived  there  in  time  to  take  an 
important  part  in  the  great  game. 

Breckinridge  formed  his  assaulting  column   in  two  lines 


''iba'1'  '•'      •  "-''STOR'Y  OF  THE  IOIST  OHIO. 

— the  first  in  a  strip  of  woods,  the  second  a  few  hundred 
feet  back  of  the  first.  Both  lines  moved  to  the  assault  in 
this  relative  position.  This  charging  column  was  made  up 
mostly  of  men  who  were  fresh  and  eager.  They  expected 
to  win.  They  were  harangued  by  their  officers,  who  pointed 
out  the  very  great  importance  of  the  move,  and  the  glory 
and  honor  of  success.  It  was  to  be  the  greatest  military 
charge  of  modern  times.  Battery  after  battery  wheeled 
into  position,  and  still  others  were  there  to  take  advanced 
positions  as  the  column  cleared  the  way.  A  cavalry  force 
was  sent  around  to  their  right  to  keep  Van  Cleve's  men  and 
others  from  running  off  in  that  direction. 

While  all  these  arrangements  were  being  made  by  the 
Confederates,  General  Rosecrans  was  also  busy.  Van 
Cleve's  Division  under  Beatty  was  across  the  river.  It 
must  stay  there,  even  if  it  had  to  face  the  whole  Confederate 
charging  column.  It  was  impossible  to  send  over  to  the 
east  bank  of  the  river  and  post  a  sufficient  force  to  meet 
and  defeat  the  great  assault  that  was  being  prepared.  Near 
the  lower  ford,  in  the  space  between  the  river  and  the  road 
which  here  crosses  the  stream,  is  a  crest  which  overlooks 
the  open  field  across  which  Breckinridge  must  pass  in  falling 
upon  Van  Cleve,  or  in  attempting  to  reach  the  ford,  both  of 
which  he  would  undoubtedly  attempt.  Every  cannon 
belonging  to  our  L,eft,  and  several  of  those  belonging  to  the 
Center  was  hurried  to  this  elevation  and  rapidly  placed  in 
position.  Fifty-eight  guns  were  thus  trained  upon  the  fatal 
field.  Each  gun  was  loaded  with  grape,  canister,  shot  or 
shell,  as  its  position  or  range  would  best  indicate.  A  clump 
of  trees  in  the  bend  of  the  river  effectually  hid  these  guns 
and  these  important  preparations  from  rebel  sight  and 
sense. 

With  delight,  Breckinridge  saw  only  one  poor  Division 
in  his  front.  On  the  preceding  afternoon  he  had  massed 


LIEUTENANT  JAMES   R.   HOMER, 

COMPANY   E. 

From  Photograph  taken  in  1894. 


104  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

a  large  force  in  plain  sight,  and  Rosecrans  had  paid  no  at- 
tention to  it.  He  flattered  himself  that  the  same  game  was 
working  this  afternoon,  and  that  an  easy  victory  awaited 
him.  He  would  brush  away  the  slight  force,  and  then 
crossing  the  river  he  would  take  our  army  in  reverse  and 
soon  end  the  agony.  It  was  a  grand  scheme  and  Breckin- 
ridge  was  glad  that  he  was  alive  on  that  immortal  after- 
noon. 

At  length  the  order  was  given  and  the  charging  column 
moved  forward.  The  moment  it  was  absolutely  certain  that 
Breckinridge  would  attempt  the  assault,  our  Division- 
Davis' — was  hurried  off  on  double  quick,  to  the  left,  to  aid 
in  repelling  the  charge.  As  soon  as  Breckinridge's  lines 
had  debouched  from  the  woods,  Van  Cleve's  batteries  opened 
a  rapid  and  accurate  fire.  The  infantry  fire  was  held  for 
closer  work.  Beatty  and  all  the  men  in  Van  Cleve's  com- 
mand knew  that  unless  our  battery  on  the  crest  could  hold 
the  enemy,  defeat  and  destruction  were  surely  theirs.  But 
not  a  man  flinched.  The  Confederate  force  came  steadily 
on,  neither  hurrying  nor  hesitating.  With  the  opening  of 
Van  Cleve's  accurate  artillery  fire,  they  staggered  for  a 
moment,  then  came  on  like  an  avalanche.  A  little  further 
and  they  saw  the  line  of  iron  and  brass  that  fringed  the 
crest  of  the  hill  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river,  each  gun  of 
which  seemed  to  grin  with  malicious  satisfaction  and  self- 
complacency.  The  sight  astonished  them  and  filled  them 
with  horror  and  dismay.  But  it  was  too  late  to  change  the 
plan  or  direction  of  assault ;  the  river  was  between  them  and 
the  battery,  making  it  impossible  for  them  to  charge  and 
silence  it — they  must  go  straight  on  or  beat  a  cowardly  re- 
treat. Everybody  saw  that  the  lines  would  be  enfiladed, 
and  the  officers  knew  perfectly  well  that  the  only  way  to 
hold  the  men  and  prevent  a  stampede  was  to  order  a  charge 
at  once,  including  both  columns.  With  the  giving  of  this 


BATTLE   OF   STONE'S   RIVER.  105 

•order  there  straightway  arose  a  yell  uttered  by  no  living 
creatures  save  a  charging  column  of  Confederate  soldiers. 
Our  own  yell  was  an  awful  thing,  born  low  down  in  Hell, 
but  theirs  was  a  hundred  fold  worse,  especially  when  they 
had  a  desperate  job  on  hand  with  the  odds  against  them. 
Their  yelling  lines  came  madly  on.  Van  Cleve's  men  cow- 
ered before  the  impending  storm,  yet  flinched  not. 

Our  guns  on  the  heights  were  still  silent.  Crazed  by 
their  yelling  and  made  hideously  frantic  by  it,  the  rebel 
host  rushed  on.  The  rest  of  the  army  seemed  to  be  holding 
its  breath — operations  elsewhere  seemed  to  be  suspended 
for  the  moment.  Both  lines  of  the  assaulting  host  were 
now  free  from  the  woods  and  charging  forward  across  the 
open  cornfield.  Van  Cleve's  artillery  cut  great  swaths  in 
their  lines,  as  was  attested  by  the  numerous  dead  and 
wounded  that  marked  the  way  back  to  the  woods.  Every 
gap  was  instantly  closed,  and  no  attention  paid  to  dead  or 
wounded. 

A  moment  later  and  the  very  heavens  seemed  to  burst 
with  an  awful  explosion,  as  every  gun  in  that  vast  battery 
poured  its  contents  directly  upon  the  Confederate  mass  as  it 
rushed  upon  Van  Cleve.  Such  slaughter  !  Every  gun  had 
been  definitely  trained  upon  a  particular  mass  of  men,  and 
the  great  number  of  dead  and  dying,  wounded  and  fleeing, 
told  only  too  plainly  how  accurate  had  been  the  aim.  The 
column  of  course  staggered — it  halted  a  moment,  amazed 
and  stricken.  Van  Cleve  poured  volley  after  volley  into 
the  writhing  mass.  The  Confederate  officers  by  almost  su- 
perhuman efforts  moved  the  column  forward  to  the  assault. 
By  this  time  our  Battery  on  the  crest  was  again  ready  for 
action,  and  again  it  poured  its  contents  upon  the  yelling 
mass  below.  Hundreds  more  went  down,  but  the  lines 
rushed  on,  feeling  sure  that  the  greatest  safety  was  in  close 
contact  with  our  line,  under  which  circumstances  the  great 


106  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

battery  could  not  play.  It  was  impossible  for  Van  Cleve's 
men  to  stand  against  such  a  host  and  such  a  rush.  They 
broke  and  fled  toward  the  ford,  closely  followed  by  Breckin- 
ridge,  over-anxious  to  get  out  of  range  of  our  batteries. 
He  followed  our  troops  across  the  river,  where  he  halted  for 
only  a  partial  re-formation  of  his  lines,  then  rushed  on  up 
the  hill  with  visions  of  victory  ever  brightening. 

General  Negley's  Division,  for  the  time  under  the  com- 
mand of  Colonel  Miller,  was  stationed  just  at  the  top  of 
the  hill  to  the  north  of  our  great  Battery.  He  ordered  his 
men  down  upon  their  faces  that  the  Confederates  might  not 
see  them.  Van  Cleve's  men  were  permitted  to  pass 
hurriedly  through.  By  this  time  Breckinridge's  line  was 
rushing  rapidly  up  the  hill,  or  rather  bank,  when  the  Di- 
vision at  Miller's  command  arose  and,  at  short  range,  poured 
a  terribly  destructive  volley  into  their  very  faces.  It  was 
too  much.  They  recoiled,  fled,  rushing  upon  their  com- 
panions who  were  vainly  trying  to  pass  the  ford.  Miller 
threw  his  Division  upon  the  confused  mass  and  put  them 
into  a  panic.  At  this  moment  our  Division — Davis' — came 
upon  the  ground  and  immediately  took  a  hand.  We 
plunged  into  and  across  the  river,  and  charged  the  enemy. 
No  sooner  had  they  gained  the  open  field  than  our  great 
battery  on  the  crest  gave  them  another  terrific  tempest  of 
iron,  sending  many  hundreds  to  their  long  home.  But  our 
charging  columns  were  so  close  upon  them  that  the  battery 
could  do  no  more.  The  chase  was  kept  up  until  they  had 
reached  the  woods  in  which  they  had  so  proudly  and  so 
confidently  formed  for  the  assault  an  hour  and  a  half  before. 

General  Cleburne  had  been  rushed  from  Bragg's  ex- 
treme L/eft  over  to  their  extreme  Right,  to  assist  in  staying 
the  flood  of  disaster  that  had  overtaken  Breckinridge.  He 
arrived  there  in  time  only  to  form  in  front  of  their  used-up 
columns  and  protect  them  from  further  pursuit. 


JOHN    DICE, 
COMPANY   E. 

From   Photograph  taken   in   1894. 


108  STORY    OF    THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

We  halted  in  the  open  field  before  reaching  the  woods, 
and,  as  we  did  so  we  demolished  every  fence  in  the  vicinity, 
using  the  rails  for  protection.  These  frail  breastworks 
stopped  many  a  bullet. 

No  sooner  had  Cleburne  taken  his  position  than  he  ar- 
ranged to  attack  us.  His  officers  harangued  their  men— 
we  could  hear  them,  but  could  not  distinguish  their  words. 
All  this  resulted  in  a  night  attack,  for  it  was  now  dark. 
Our  batteries  had  been  well  posted  and  double  shotted. 
1C  very  man  in  our  line  knew  the  range,  and  just  what  to  do 
L'the  rebels  should  attempt  to  come  at  us,  as  we  imagined 
they  would.  When  Cleburne  made  his  foolish  night  attack, 
his  men  raised  the  yell  which  told  our  gunners  and  the  rest 
of  us  just  where  they  were.  Our  batteries  raked  them 
dreadfully.  The  infantry  firing  was  deafening  for  a  few 
moments,  but  the  enemy  soon  found  it  impossible  to  handle 
us,  and  retired  into  the  woods.  There  was  a  great  deal  of 
random  firing  during  the  night,  on  both  sides,  but  no 
especial  harm  was  done  anyone  so  far  as  I  know.  It  began 
to  rain  in  the  night,  which  soon  rendered  the  cornfield 
across  which  our  lines  extended  almost  impassable.  The 
mud  wras  ankle  deep  everywhere.  It  was  soft  enough,  but 
a  little  too  plentiful  to  .sleep  in,  though  many  of  the  boys 
tried  it. 

The  field  over  which  we  had  charged  in  following  Breck- 
in ridge  was  very  thickly  strewn  with  his  dead  and  wounded, 
so  much  so  that  we  really  had  to  pick  our  way  at  times  to 
avoid  treading  upon  the  poor  fellows. 

The  morning — Saturday,  the  3rd — found  us  literally 
stuck  in  the  mud  ;  we  hugged  our  little  sections  of  rail 
fence  and  lay  flat  upon  the  muddy  ground  to  be  as  safe  as 
possible  from  Cleburne' s  sharpshooters.  Our  batteries  soon 
shelled  the  woods  and  taught  them  to  respect  us  by  keeping 
further  away. 


BATTLE  OF  STONE'S  RIVER.  109 

About  8  o'clock  in  the  morning,  a  portion  at  least  of  the 
loist  was  sent  off  to  the  left  and  front  to  act  as  a  sort  of 
picket-skirmish  line.  The  drizzling  rain  continued  to  fall 
and  the  day  was  dark  and  lowering.  There  was  little  heavy 
fighting  on  our  part  of  the  field,  though  Bragg  frequently 
tested  our  lines  to  see  whether  Rosecrans  were  really  still 
in  front.  The  responses  that  he  received  finally  convinced 
him  and  his  generals  that  our  lines  were  strongest  every- 
where, and  weakest  nowhere. 

We  found  our  picket-skirmish  line  a  most  exciting  affair. 
We  were  in  the  woods  near  the  small  .stream  that  flows  into 
the  river  further  north.  The  ground  was  strewn  with  guns, 
and  bayonets,  and  clothing,  and  knapsacks,  and  even  haver- 
sacks. But  behind  every  large  tree  there  seemed  to  lurk  a 
vicious  rebel,  but  we  finally  reached  our  trees,  running  the 
gauntlet  of  many  a  bullet  in  doing  so.  The  trees  were  close 
together  and  the  runs  were  short. 

Off  to  our  left  on  the  edge  of  a  little  stream  there  was 
an  old  cotton  shed.  This  was  at  first  held  by  the  Johnnies, 
but  we  found  time  to  send  so  many  bullets  into  it  that  they 
left  it.  A  stirring  incident  occurred  at  the  picket  reserve, 
just  at  dark.  The  men  were  cold  and  wet,  and  wanted 
something  warm.  They  had  been  ordered  not  to  have  a 
fire  under  any  circumstances.  They  huddled  closely  to- 
gether, however,  and  decided  to  boil  a  cup  of  coffee.  Very 
thoughtlessly  one  of  them  left  his  place  just  as  the  coffee 
began  to  boil.  Instantly  a  rebel  bullet  struck  the  fire, 
overturned  the  coffee  and  scattered  the  boys  in  great  shape. 
The  officer  in  command  found  relief  in  profanity,  and  dark- 
ness again  prevailed. 

We  were  relieved  about  this  time,  and  as  we  went  back 
to  our  place  in  the  line  we  witnessed  an  assault  made  by  the 
enemy,  probably  to  cover  his  withdrawal  from  our  front. 
We  had  a  kind  of  enfilading  view  of  the  conflict.  The 


110  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

flashing  of  several  thousand  muskets  on  either  side,  and  a 
broadside  or  two  of  our  artillery,  made  it  a  much  pleasanter 
affair  to  look  at  than  to  be  in.  The  Johnnies  soon  fell  back 
to  the  cover  of  the  woods,  and  comparative  silence  again 
prevailed,  broken  only  by  the  nervous  rattle  along  the 
picket  line. 

About  2  o'clock  in  the  morning  we  recrossed  the  river 
which  was  considerably  swollen  by  the  recent  rains,  and 
wading  through  the  mud  in  many  places  actually  knee  deep, 
went  into  camp  on  our  extreme  right,  just  back  of  the  rail- 
road. It  seemed  an  unspeakable  relief  to  get  our  harness  off. 
We  had  worn  our  belts  almost  incessantly  since  the  opening 
of  the  fight,  and  had  scarcely  dared  to  put  our  guns  out  of 
our  hands.  We  sprawled  out  on  the 'wet  ground  and  slept 
until  daylight,  then  waded  into  a  pond  near  by,  washed  up 
and  lay  around  to  dry.  The  noise  of  the  conflict  had  ceased. 
Bragg  had  retreated  and  Rosecrans  was  in  possession  of 
the  field. 

Our  regimental  losses  were  heavy.  Out  of  four  hundred 
and  twenty  men  who  stood  in  line  at  daylight  on  the  3ist, 
two  hundred  and  twelve  were  either  dead,  mortally  wounded, 
or  captured.  Nearly  all  this  occurred  on  the  first  day.  The 
following  list  of  those  who  were  either  killed  outright  or 
mortally  wounded,  tells  a  sad  story,  but  only  a  part  of  it. 
The  boys  were  mangled  and  torn  in  every  conceivable  way. 
Death  came  instantly  to  many,  and  many  others  lingered  in 
awful  torture.  Many  of  those  who  were  captured  endured 
suffering  which  can  never  be  described.  Andersonville, 
Columbia,  Florence  and  lyibby,  received  them  into  their 
horrors,  and  gloated  over  their  miseries. 

Under  cover  of  darkness  the  once  great  Confederate 
army,  no  longer  able  to  defend  itself  against  our  sturdy 
lines  of  blue,  sought  safety  in  flight,  nor  halted  until  the 
shelter  of  Duck  River  had  been  reached. 


BATTLE   OF   STONE'S   RIVER.  Ill 

lyist  of  those  who  were  killed  or  mortally  wounded  : 

Col.  Leander  Stem,  Commanding  Regiment 

Lieut.  Col.  Moses  F.  Wooster,  2nd  in  Command 

Lieut.  John  B.  Biddle Company  C. 

Lieut.  Asa  R.  Hillyear Company  A. 

Comrade  Cyrus  B.  Prosser Company  A. 

Comrade  Edwin  Runyaii Company  A. 

Comrade  Simon  Huntiugton Company  B. 

Comrade  Henry  Kile Company  C. 

Comrade  John  J.  Moore Company  C. 

Comrade  Charles  Pickens Company  D. 

Comrade  Isaac  Farnsworth Company  E. 

Comrade  Lewis  Lowe Company  E. 

Comrade  Peter  Suyder Company  E. 

Comrade  Adam  Sherer Company  E. 

Comrade  Oliver  Bolander Company  F. 

Comrade  Alfred  J.  DeWitt Company  F. 

Comrade  Thomas  Hollenshead Company  F. 

Comrade  John  A.  Kerr Company  F. 

Comrade  Samuel  Martin Company  F. 

Comrade  David  Miller Company  F. 

Comrade  Aaron  C.  Shively Company  F. 

Comrade  John  Scott Company  F. 

Comrade  Francis  M.  Sterling Company  F. 

Comrade  Garrett  Taylor Company  F. 

Comrade  George  Hewitt Company  G. 

Comrade  Curtis  B.  Mullenix Company  G. 

Comrade  Andrew  Meikle Company  G. 

Comrade  James  S.  Ames Company  H. 

Comrade  Dallas  W.  Hade Company  H. 

Comrade  Samuel  F.  Arndt Company  I. 

Camrade  Anthony  Dellgeit Company  I. 

Comrade  Frederick  Franks Company  I. 

Comrade  George  W.  Gittenger Company  I. 

Comrade  RobertMcMeen Company  I. 

Comrade  Sylvester  Beatty Company  K. 

Comrade  George  W.  Hulett Company  K. 

Comrade  David  K.  Newhouse Company  K. 

Comrade  Moses  Parkhurst Company  K. 

Comrade  Samuel  Strayer Company  K. 


112  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

A  large  part  of  Sunday  was  spent  in  gathering  and 
compiling  information  relative  to  our  dead,  wounded  and 
missing,  and  in  writing  letters  home.  In  the  afternoon  we 
received  mail — the  first  since  leaving  Nashville,  December 
26th.  On  Monday  morning,  January  5th,  a  detail  of  two 
men  from  each  company  was  made  to  bury  our  dead.  The 
field  of  the  first  day's  conflict,  had  remained  in  the  hands  of 
the  enemy  until  Sunday  morning.  The  Confederates  had 
gathered,  with  but  little  care,  most  of  our  dead  and  placed 
them  in  heaps,  in  some  instances  building  a  rail  pen  around 
them  to  protect  them  from  possible  roving  swine,  belonging 
to  some  of  the  residents  of  the  vicinity.  Before  leaving 
camp,  our  little  burying  party  had  a  full  list  of  the  dead. 

Many  of  the  boys  made  donations  of  blankets,  in  which 
to  wrap  the  bodies  of  their  friends  and  comrades,  feeling 
sure  that  relatives  and  friends  would  desire  to  remove  the 
remains  to  their  peaceful  homes  in  the  North  as  soon  as 
circumstances  would  allow.  No  caskets  were  to  be  had — 
not  even  rough  boxes. 

Arriving  upon  the  field  we  selected  our  fallen  comrades 
from  the  several  piles,  found  one  or  two  where  they  fell, 
carried  a  strange  dead  comrade  or  two  to  heaps  of  other 
dead,  and  then  began  the  excavation  of  the  trench,  selecting 
a  beautiful  location  beneath  the  boughs  of  a  great  tree,  just 
within  the  edge  of  the  woods  near  the  cotton  field  where  we 
formed  our  second  line  of  battle  on  the  3ist.  We  dug  a 
trench  six  feet  wide,  five  feet  deep  and  long  enough  to  con- 
tain all  the  bodies  lying  side  by  side.  Then  wrapping  each 
poor  boy  in  the  blanket  donated  him  by  a  comrade  friend, 
we  reverently  lowered  the  bodies  into  the  trench,  and 
having  covered  each  with  branches  cut  from  the  adjacent 
cotton  bushes,  to  break  in  appearance  at  least,  the  fall  of 
the  ground  upon  their  bodies,  we  buried  them  in  unbroken 
silence.  Many  a  stout  heart  that  had  not  for  a  moment 


GEORGE  S.   McKEE, 

COMPANY   E. 

Engraved  from  a  crayon. 


114  STORY    OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

quailed  before  the  presence  of  the  destroying  enemy,  broke 
down  entirely  in  the  presence  of  this  sad  sight.  Deep  but 
not  loud  were  the  imprecations  heaped  upon  the  heads  of 
the  responsible  leaders  of  the  rebellion  which  made  such 
sacrifices  necessary. 

While  the  trench  was  being  dug,  a  few  of  us  passed  on 
through  the  woods  to  the  place  where  our  lines  had  been 
formed  on  the  morning  of  the  3ist.  Everywhere  there  were 
unmistakable  evidences  of  the  fierceness  of  the  struggle. 
Broken  guns,  bayonets,  swords,  sabers,  belts  and  accouter- 
ments  of  all  kinds  belonging  to  both  armies,  lay  scattered 
about  in  great  abundance.  Worn  out  articles  of  clothing, 
pieces  of  knapsacks,  haversacks,  tin  cups  and  spiders,  frag- 
ments of  shells,  solid  shot  and  unexploded  shells,  dead 
horses  and  broken  cannon  carriages,  drums  and  worthless 
stretchers,  slight:  depressions  in  the  ground  marking  the 
place  where  many  heroes  had  fallen  and  lain  for  days,  great 
splotches  of  blood  showing  where  the  lives  of  many  patriots 
had  slowly  ebbed  away  in  the  terrible  silence  that  succeeded 
the  rush  of  the  whirlwind,  broken  branches  and  splintered 
trees,  shells  buried  deep  in  the  trunks  of  the  giants  of  the 
forest — all  this  and  a  thousand  things  beside  bore  indubit- 
able marks  of  the  desperate  nature  of  the  conflict. 

Placing  a  rude  board  on  which  was  carved  his  name  and 
the  number  of  our  Regiment,  at  the  head  of  each  buried 
comrade,  we  returned  in  the  afternoon  to  find  that  the 
Regiment,  during  our  absence,  had  marched  across  the 
river,  up  through  the  town  and  out  the  Shelbyville  Pike 
a  couple  of  miles.  We  immediately  followed,  passing  down 
the  railroad  and  over  the  bridge  which  the  rebels  had 
attempted  to  destroy.  The  whole  town  was  a  hospital  and 
we  gladly  hurried  through  into  the  country  beyond.  We 
experienced  little  difficulty  in  finding  the  Regiment,  and 
were  soon  as  busy  as  the  rest  arranging  for  the  night. 


IN   CAMP   AT   MURFREKSBORO'.  115 

Within  a  day  or  two  we  were  moved  in  the  midst  of  a 
blinding  snow  storm  to  a  new  and  permanent  position  near 
the  river  which  gives  its  name  to  the  great  battle  out  of  the 
smoke  and  chaos  of  which  we  had  just  come. 


CHAPTER  X. 

IN   CAMP   AT   MURFREESBORO'. 

The  great  battle  had  been  fought,  and  victory  rested 
with  us.  Bragg  retreated  from  our  front  on  Saturday  night, 
leaving  us  in  full  possession  of  the  battlefield  for  which  we 
had  contended  nine  days.  He  left  with  us  also  his  sick  and 
badly  wounded  to  the  number  of  2,500.  On  Sunday,  the 
4th,  Rosecrans  made  some  weak  attempts  to  follow  the  re- 
treating Confederates,  not  so  much  to  bring  Bragg  again 
to  battle,  as  to  find  out  where  he  was  going.  The  rebel 
General  was  not  going  far,  only  to  Shelbyville  and  Tulla- 
homa.  He  had  decided  to  make  Duck  River  his  line  of  de- 
fense, and  for  that  purpose  he  had  erected  strong  earth- 
works at  both  these  places,  apparently  for  permanent  occu- 
pation. He  established  strong  outposts  both  of  cavalry  and 
infantry  at  Manchester,  Wartrace  and  Columbia,  and  sought 
to  dispute  with  us  the  possession  of  Franklin.  Rosecrans' 
headquarters  were  at  Murfreesboro',  Bragg's  at  Shelbyville, 
about  25  miles  away.  Scouting  and  raiding  between  the 
two  lines  were  quite  common — and  were  frequently  in- 
teresting. Versailles,  Eagleville  and  Franklin  became 
especially  familiar  to  us  in  January  and  March,  1863. 
Bragg  felt  quite  safe  in  his  new  quarters,  for  he  well  knew 
that  we  had  been  so  severely  knocked  around  in  the  recent 
battle  that  we  would  be  glad  to  let  him  alone  for  a  time, 
and  we  felt  about  the  same  way  concerning  their  condition. 


Il6  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

But  Bragg  had  one  great  advantage — he  was  near  his  base 
of  supplies.  During  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  and  for 
some  weeks  preceding  and  following  that  event,  Gen. 
John  Morgan  had  succeeded  in  almost  destroying  our  rail- 
road communications  with  Louisville .  The  road  was  so 
badly  wrecked  that  instead  of  accumulating  supplies  at 
Murfreesboro'  preparatory  to  an  early  advance,  we  were  put 
upon  half  rations  for  several  weeks.  The  ration  was  a  very 
limited  affair.  The  country  was  overrun  in  every  direction, 
and  everything  seized  that  could  be  used. 

Just  how  Bragg  smoothed  things  over  so  as  to  satisfy  his 
superiors  that  his  retreat  was  the  proper  thing,  I  am  not 
able  to  say.  It  must  have  required  quite  as  much  sophistry 
as  did  his  explanation  of  affairs  at  Perryville.  The  loss  of 
Stone's  River  carried  with  it  the  loss  of  the  State  of  Ken- 
tucky and  most  of  Middle  and  East  Tennessee,  though  the 
latter  section  held  out  until  the  fall  of  Chattanooga  in  Sep- 
tember following.  Nashville  had  forever  passed  out  of  the 
possession  of  the  Confederate  army.  Treason,  instead  of 
invading  the  North,  was  being  crowded  back  into  the  very 
nest  of  the  viper  of  Secession.  The  Lord's  hand  was  in  it. 

Succeeding  the  great  battle  there  came  a  great  lull,  last- 
ing for  months.  With  the  coming  of  pleasant  weather  in 
the  Spring,  the  Commanding  General  was  anxious  to  ad- 
vance, but  could  not  do  so  for  want  of  supplies,  and 
especially  for  want  of  a  suitable  cavalry  force  to  cope  with 
that  of  the  enemy  and  protect  our  flanks  and  rear.  Gen- 
eral Halleck  at  Washington  wildly  urged  Rosecrans  to  ad- 
vance. Rosecrans  showed  his  generalship,  pluck  and  good 
sense  in  refusing  to  do  so  until  there  were  some  prospects 
of  success.  The  two  armies  faced  each  other  from  the  4th 
of  January  to  the  24th  of  June,  at  a  distance  of  about  twenty- 
five  miles,  each  making  faces  at  each  other  and  occasional^ 
making  harmless  passes.  Many  an  innocent  bluff  was  at- 


SCOUTING.  117 

tempted,  but  neither  dared  call  the  other.  Less  than  four 
months  before,  the  rebel  army,  with  banners  and  music  and 
high  hopes,  had  turned  Buell's  Left  at  McMinnville,  and 
with  the  tread  of  conquerors  had  attempted  to  carry  the 
war  into  the  North.  The  attempt  had  ignominiously  failed. 
Bragg  was  practically  whipped  on  his  own  ground  at  Perry- 
ville,  and  most  decidedly  was  he  defeated  at  Stone's  River 
in  a  position  of  his  own  selection.  We  had  great  reason  to 
rejoice.  But  the  roll-call  of  the  several  commands  revealed 
the  fact  that  the  victory  had  cost  us  dear  in  the  lives  of  our 
comrades.  There  were  great  breaks  in  the  lists  of  names — 
vacancies  that  could  never  be  filled.  On  dress  parade,  our 
line  was  but  a  ghost  of  its  former  self.  We  were  soldiers, 
but  many  a  sigh  and  many  a  tear  were  bestowed  upon  the 
memory  of  our  fallen  associates  and  comrades.  As  the 
wounded  and  captured,  one  by  one,  returned  to  us,  we  gave 
them  a  royal  welcome. 

Our  Division  Commander,  Gen.  Jeff.  C.  Davis,  soon  tired 
of  the  routine  of  camp  life  and  longed  to  roam  around  the 
country  in  search  of  an  enemy.  We  fully  sympathized  with 
him  in  the  matter  of  camp  routine,  but  not  in  the  roaming. 
In  the  latter  part  of  January  the  Confederate  cavalry  under 
Wheeler  occupied  Triune  and  Franklin.  This  made  our 
Division  General  wild.  He  asked  and  received  permission 
to  take  his  command  out  that  way  to  act  in  conjunction 
with  our  cavalry  and  a  small  force  to  be  sent  down  from 
Nashville  for  the  capture  of  this  impertinent  rebel  force. 

On  the  evening  of  the  2gth  of  January  we  received  or- 
ders to  march  at  5  o'clock  next  morning.  Bach  man  was 
to  take  three  days'  rations  and  forty  rounds  of  ammunition 
with  him.  Of  course  it  began  to  rain  before  we  started, 
and  when,  just  at  daylight  next  morning,  we  filed  out  of 
camp,  it  fairly  poured.  It  was  one  of  those  cold,  drizzling, 
disagreeable,  discouraging,  unsatisfactory  mornings  so  com- 


Il8  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

mon  to  this  climate  and  section.  We  soon  passed  the 
picket  station,  said  good-bye  to  the  videttes,  and  bore  off 
toward  Versailles,  marching  rapidly  through  the  slippery 
mud  until  near  nightfall,  when  we  went  into  camp  near  the 
last  mentioned  place.  It  was  a  dreary,  homesick  night. 
We  were  tired,  wet,  muddy  and  ill-natured,  but  fires  were 
permitted  and  we  were  soon  in  better  humor.  Two  Brigades 
of  cavalry  under  Colonel  Minty  accompanied  us  on  the  ex- 
pedition. At  this  point  the  two  forces  were  to  separate — 
the  cavalry  going  almost  directly  south  from  Versailles 
some  six  miles  to  gain  the  rear  of  the  rebel  force  at  Triune, 
while  we  (Davis'  Division)  were  to  advance  directly  upon 
the  latter  place.  It  was  thought  that  Wheeler  would  im- 
mediately retreat  when  he  discovered  the  strength  of  the 
infantry  force  sent  against  him.  Moreover,  while  our  two 
forces  were  executing  these  movements,  General  Steedman, 
who  had  advanced  from  Nashville  with  a  neat  little  force, 
was  to  take  position  at  Nolensville,  a  few  miles  north  of 
Triune.  Thus  hemmed  in  011  three  sides,  Wheeler  had  but 
two  alternatives — he  must  either  surrender,  or  continue  his 
march  to  the  west  and  north.  He  was  not  a  man  given  to 
much  surrendering,  consequently  he  continued  his  march. 
Our  command  arrived  at  Eagleville  on  the  evening  of  Feb- 
ruary ist,  and  went  into  camp  for  the  night.  Colonel 
Minty  in  the  meantime  had  captured  a  rebel  regiment  of 
350  men  near  Unionville,  but  the  grand  prize  had  eluded 
us.  Early  next  morning  we  resumed  our  march  at  a  very 
rapid  rate  toward  the  northwest,  finally  bringing  up  at 
Franklin.  But  Wheeler  had  the  start  of  us  and  soon  ap- 
peared before  Fort  Donelson.  Failing  in  the  capture  of  this 
place  and  being  hotly  pursued,  he  returned,  bearing  far  to 
the  west  to  avoid  General  Davis,  who  had  received  a  large 
cavalry  reinforcement.  It  had  been  a  fruitless  though  ex- 
citing raid  for  the  rebel. 


MAJOR   DANIEL   H.   FOX. 

From    Photograph, 


120  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

An  amusing  incident  occurred  at  Versailles  the  first 
evening  out.  General  Davis,  with  a  portion  of  his  staff, 
was  riding  about  rather  rashly,  as  was  his  custom,  and 
finally  got  outside  our  lines  before  our  pickets  were  fairly 
established.  He  was  halted,  of  course,  when  he  attempted 
to  come  in. 

"  Who  comes  there?"  said  the  sentinel. 

"  Federals,"  replied  Davis.  But  the  soldier  on  duty 
understood  the  answer  to  be  "  Confederates,"  and  the  night 
being  very  dark  and  rainy,  he  fired,  as  did  one  or  two 
guards  with  him.  Explanations  were  soon  made  and  Gen- 
eral Davis  was  admitted,  but  he  was  "hot."  He  was  so 
angry  he  nearly  had  a  fit.  He  couldn't  get  over  it.  He 
always  carried  with  him  a  large  and  carefully  selected 
vocabulary  of  ' '  swear  words, ' '  but  the  list  was  not  suf- 
ficient for  this  occasion. 

Although  we  were  in  the  midst  of  a  stirring  campaign, 
nothing  of  especial  interest  occurred  to  break  the  monotony 
of  the  dreary  tramp.  We  crossed  the  Harpeth  river  at 
Franklin,  marched  up  through  the  town  and  went  into  camp 
just  south  of  the  village,  on  the  very  ground  on  which  the 
great  battle  of  Franklin  was  fought  a  year  and  a  half  later. 

We  settled  down  as  though  we  were  to  stay  awhile.  It 
turned  very  cold  and  snowed  and  "  blowed "  furiously. 
This  seemed  greatly  to  satisfy  many  of  the  citizens,  who 
were  Sesech  through  and  through. 

:<  You'ns  are  going  to  freeze  if  you  stay  here,"  with  a 
sardonic  smile  which  revealed  the  actual  state  of  mind  within 
and  which  we  well  understood.  '  'You'ns  '11  freeze  dead,  sure." 
"  Not  a  bit  of  it.  We  have  this  kind  of  weather  the 
year  round  at  home.  But  if  it  should  get  cold,  we'll  call 
on  you  fellows  for  blankets,  or  maybe  beds,"  said  some  of 
our  boys.  But  the  citizens  thought  perhaps  it  would  not 
get  much  colder. 


BACK    IN    CAMP.  121 

We  had  no  shelter  with  us  except  our  pup  tents,  which, 
in  a  storm,  were  little  better  than  nothing.  In  pleasant, 
or  even  moderate  weather  they  were  very  good.  Especially 
did  we  find  them  excellent  on  picket  duty.  They  would 
at  least  keep  the  dew  off,  and  would  indicate  ' '  head- 
quarters. "  In  a  storm  a  pup  tent  stood  no  show. 

We  remained  at  Franklin,  picketing  and  scouting,  until 
February  i2th,  when  we  returned  to  our  old  quarters  at 
Murfreesboro' .  While  at  Franklin  the  boys  raided  several 
old  tobacco  dry-houses,  and  returned  well  laden  with  great 
burdens  of  half-dried  leaves.  These  were  carefully  con- 
cealed under  blouses  and  overcoats,  fearing  the  wrath  of  the 
Division  Commander,  but  still  more  the  confiscation  of  their 
property. 

By  order  of  the  War  Department  dated  January  9,  1863, 
the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  was  reorganized,  though  its 
main  features  remained  unchanged.  General  McCook's 
command  was  denominated  the  Twentieth  Corps  or  Right 
Wing;  General  Thomas'  the  Fourteenth  Corps  or  Center; 
and  General  Crittenden's  the  Twenth-first  Corps  or  L,eft 
Wing.  It  will  be  observed  that  no  change  was  ordered 
in  Corps  Commanders.  Our  Corps,  the  Twentieth,  occu- 
pied the  line  in  front  of  Murfreesboro'  from  the  river  south 
of  the  town  to  the  Shelbyville  Pike,  covering  also  the  Salem 
Pike.  General  Thomas'  Command  occupied  that  part  of 
the  line  extending  from  the  Shelbyville  Pike  to  the  Wood- 
bury  Road  ;  and  Crittenden,  from  Thomas'  left  to  the  river 
north  of  the  town.  It  was  very  evident  that,  on  the  ad- 
vance of  the  army,  Murfreesboro'  must  be  used  as  a  great 
base  of  supplies.  But  it  could  not  be  left  in  the  weak  con- 
dition in  which  Forrest  found  it  the  summer  preceding. 
Elaborate  fortifications  were  therefore  planned  and  com- 
pleted during  our  stay.  In  all  this  work  we  did  our  full 
share  when  not  off  scouting.  The  railroad  and  pike  from 


122  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

Nashville  were  prime  necessities.  Both  were  protected  by 
strong  works  commanding  all.  important  bridges  and  ap- 
proaches to  the  river.  All  these  forts  swept  the  country  for 
long  distances  toward  the  front  and  flank.  Upon  the  high 
ground  north  of  the  town  immense  works  were  thrown  up, 
seemingly  impregnable,  and  upon  the  elevated  ground  fur- 
ther to  the  east  and  front,  other  strong  works  were  erected. 
Most,  if  not  all  these  forts  were  protected  by  abatti  and 
ditches.  Long  lines  of  breastworks  extending  from  fort  to 
fort,  along  the  base,  summit,  and  sides  of  the  hills  and  ele- 
vations, were  thrown  up  and  made  strong.  Many  of  the 
breastworks  were  enfiladed  by  the  forts,  and  each  fort  in 
front  had  a  vulnerable  side  to  the  rear,  commanded  by  one 
or  more  of  the  other  forts,  so  that  should  an  enemy  force 
his  way  into  one  of  them,  the  others  could  at  once  open  fire 
upon  them  with  effect,  and  should  a  portion  of  the  breast- 
works be  captured,  a  number  of  forts  could  enfilade  their 
lines.  But  when  our  army  finally  advanced,  it  crowded 
the  enemy  back  so  vigorously  that  he  had  neither  time  nor 
occasion  to  test  the  strength  of  our  works  at  Murf reesboro' . 
His  attention  was  fully  occupied  at  the  front. 

It  must  not  be  supposed  that  everything  else  was  neg- 
lected until  these  fortifications  were  completed.  Not  at  all. 
Rosecrans  had  determined  to  keep  Bragg  south  of  Duck 
River.  Whenever  a  force  came  north  of  that  little  stream,, 
it  was  to  be  looked  after  at  once,  and  inasmuch  as  most  of 
these -raids  were  made  westward  of  the  Shelby  ville  pike,  it 
seemed  to  fall  to  McCook  to  run  them  down  and  hustle 
them  back.  Our  own  Division  did  the  lion's  share  of  all  of 
this  work.  The  expedition  to  Franklin,  already  noticed,, 
was  one  of  these. 

Notwithstanding  our  drilling,  fort-building,  and  so  on,, 
time  hung  heavily  on  the  hands  of  some  of  us,  and  a  move- 
ment was  set  on  foot  for  the  purchase  of  some  suitable  read- 


LITERATURE   AND    MORALS.  123 

ing  matter.  Colonel  Kirby  very  kindly  offered  to  provide 
transportation  for  our  library  as  the  Regiment  moved  from 
point  to  point,  if  we  succeeded  in  securing  one.  The  mat- 
ter was  taken  up  quite  enthusiastically,  and  in  a  short  time 
a  sufficient  sum  was  raised  to  purchase  quite  a  number  of 
books.  A  committee  duly  appointed,  made  a  selection  of 
books  we  wanted,  the  list  was  handed  to  the  agent  of  the 
Christian  Commission,  through  whose  kindness  the  purchase 
was  made,  and  in  due  time  the  books  delivered.  It  was  an 
excellent  undertaking — productive  of  much  good.  Some  of 
these  books  were,  of  course,  lost,  but  many  of  them  accom- 
panied the  Regiment  on  its  long  and  wearisome  marches  and 
were  brought  home  well  worn  with  much  reading. 

About  the  same  time,  or  possibly  a  little  earlier,  a  kin- 
dred enterprise  was  set  on  foot,  fostered,  and  carried  to  suc- 
cess by  the  same  persons  who  were  interested  in  the  library 
scheme.  This  was  the  formation  of  a  society  for  moral  and 
religious  instruction — a  society  whose  influence  should  be 
used  to  stay,  as  far  as  possible,  the  evil  influences  incident 
to  a  soldier's  life.  This  little  association  was  quite  success- 
ful, and  much  good  was  accomplished.  Our  Chaplain,  Rev. 
Oliver  Kennedy,  was  the  prime  mover  in  the  enterprise.  On 
several  occasions  while  we  lay  at  Murfreesboro',  Chaplains 
of  other  regiments  addressed  us.  The  memory  of  some  of 
these  meetings  is  exceedingly  delightful,  especially  of  those 
held  near  the  battle-field.  Our  good  Chaplain  soon  after 
resigned,  to  enter  the  Christian  Commission.  He  was  a  good 
man,  earnest  and  devoted,  jolly,  but  true  and  tried.  He  was 
held  in  profound  respect  by  all,  even  the  roughest  of  our 
boys.  He  returned  to  enjoy  many  years  of  peaceful  life,  but 
died  March  23,  1889,  at  Belief ontaine,  Ohio;  loved,  honored, 
and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him.  And  when  after  long 
marches,  many  hardships,  and  much  severe  fighting,  it  be- 
came wise  to  reorganize  the  little  society,  our  new  Chaplain, 


124  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

the  Rev.  E.  M.  Crevath,  now  President  of  Fisk  Univer- 
sity, Nashville,  was  earnest,  successful,  and  efficient  in 
re-establishing  the  organization  on  the  same  broad  principles 
of  universal  evangelical  toleration  which  characterized  the 
first. 

Belief  in  God,  in  Jesus  Christ,  and  in  the  validity  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures  were  the  only  requirements.  On  long 
marches  our  meetings  were  necessarily  dispensed  with. 
But  when  the  occasions  were  favorable,  we  met  in  some 
secluded  spot  or  nook,  or  under  some  old  tree,  or  in  the 
edge  of  the  forest.  Many  of  these  meetings  were  delightful 
in  the  extreme,  reminding  us  of  former  days  at  home,  of 
present  duties  and  responsibilities,  and  bidding  us  look  for- 
ward to  a  joyous  reunion  with  those  whom  we  loved,  prob- 
ably on  this  side  of  the  Dark  River,  but  if  not,  surely  be- 
yond. The  influence  of  some  of  these  meetings  still  lasts. 

Bragg's  pickets  and  videttes  kept  us  so  closely  in»  sight 
that  it  became  necessary  for  us  to  do  a  great  deal  of  picket- 
ing. To  relieve,  and  at  the  same  time  to  simplify  matters, 
our  picketing  was  done  by  Brigades — the  entire  force  re- 
maining out  several  days  at  a  time.  We  were  able  to  make 
ourselves  much  more  comfortable  in  this  way,  and  at  the 
same  time  do  much  more  effective  work,  should  occasion  re- 
quire. 

General  Rosecrans  had  been  making  every  possible  ef- 
fort to  get  into  shape  for  an  early  advance.  He  must  have 
supplies,  and  he  must  have  cavalry.  He  pleaded  and  im- 
plored, stormed  and  fumed — but  to  little  purpose.  Halleck 
was  still  fighting  battles  on  paper.  He  thought  cavalry 
cost  too  much.  That  man  Halleck  was  a  mystery. 

The  enemy  in  our  front  was  becoming  bold.  General 
Rosecrans  determined,  early  in  March,  to  ascertain  more 
definitely  where  he  was  and  in  what  force.  To  do  this  he 
sent  out  three  columns,  with  one  of  which  Davis'  Division, 


SAMUEL  SPROUT, 

COMPANY   K. 

From  Photograph  taken  in  1894. 


126  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

of  course,  marched.  The  three  expeditions  moved  the  same 
day,  one  from  Murfreesboro'  under  General  Sheridan,  one 
from  Nolensville  under  Steedman,  and  one  from  Franklin 
under  Gilbert.  Sheridan's  cavalry  attacked  Roddy's  rebel 
cavalry  a  few  miles  south  of  Eagleville,  drove  it  back  upon 
a  larger  force  near  Unionville,  and  then  chased  the  whole 
command  on  the  keen  run  back  to  Shelby ville.  This  was 
done  by  Colonel  Minty,  assisted  by  our  friends  and  com- 
rades, the  Third  Ohio  Cavalry.  Minty  then  joined  Sheri- 
dan at  Kaglesville.  He  had  waked  up  the  rebel  force  along 
the  line  of  Duck  River  in  great  shape. 

Gilbert's  expedition  from  Franklin  was  not  so  successful. 
The  first  day's  fight  was  all  right,  but  the  enemy  fell  back 
to  Spring  Hill,  was  largely  reinforced,  and  on  the  following 
day  drove  the  Union  force  back  with  considerable  loss, 
many  being  killed  and  more  than  a  thousand  captured. 
The  thing  was  not  well  managed  on  our  side,  for  a  force  of 
2,800  was  compelled  to  go  into  battle  against  an  enemy 
having  14,000  men  under  arms. 

The  expedition  under  Steedman  from  Nolensville  suc- 
ceeded in  driving  the  enemy  across  Duck  River,  capturing  a 
number  of  prisoners  and  stirring  up  the  natives  badly.  He 
fell  back  to  Triune  and  Sheridan  moved  up  toward  Frank- 
lin to  help  Gilbert.  This  left  Steedman  considerably  ex- 
posed at  Triune,  and  at  once  a  force  of  6,000  rebels  set  out 
to  gobble  him.  At  this  junction  of  the  game,  Davis'  Di- 
vision was  called  in  to  help  the  matter  along.  On  the  even- 
ing of  the  8th  of  March  we  received  orders  to  move  at  5 
o'clock  next  morning,  with  three  days'  rations  in  our  haver- 
sacks and  forty  rounds  of  ammunition  in  our  belts.  We 
were  to  march  as  light  as  possible.  On  the  9th  we 
halted  at  Salem,  but  on  the  loth  we  effected  a  junction  with 
Steedman  at  Triune.  It  was  a  fearfully  wet  afternoon — it 
got  dark  an  hour  too  soon,  a  dense  fog  settling  down  on  all 


RAIDS   AND    DASHES.  127 

things.  Darkness  or  stupid  blundering,  or  both,  caused 
one  of  our  regiments — not  the  icist — to  fire  on  some  of 
Steedman's  cavalry.  The  mistake  was  instantly  noticed. 
Fortunately  no  harm  was  done.  We  remained  near  Triune 
for  a  day  or  two,  then  moved  to  Eagleville,  and  then  across 
to  Versailles — then  back  to  Murfreesboro'  on  the  i5th. 
The  three  expeditions  had  resulted  in  no  practical  good, 
though  Rosecrans  learned  that  the  enemy  was  in  fighting 
quantities  in  many  sections.  Cavalry  he  must  and  would 
have.  So  he  began  afresh  to  hammer  Halleck. 

The  rebel  cavalry  was  never  idle.  They  operated  both 
east  and  west  of  us,  making  dashes  here  and  there  and 
causing  much  damage  in  many  places.  Our  Division  was 
called  out  several  times  to  chase  them,  but  we  never 
came  into  close  quarters.  On  one  of  these  occasions  we 
advanced  with  considerable  caution  to  Franklin,  where  we 
remained  two  days,  when  we  left  very  suddenly,  being 
obliged  to  halt  and  form  lines  once  or  twice  before  reaching 
safety.  At  one  time  the  entire  Division  was  in  line  across 
the  Salem  Pike,  a  short  distance  from  that  village.  Our  ar- 
tillery was  admirably  posted,  but  the  Confederate  force, 
mostly  cavalry,  ventured  only  near  enough  to  look  at  us. 
We  withdrew  during  the  night  and  resumed  our  place  in 
line  at  Murfreesboro',  the  Confederates  having  beaten  a 
hasty  retreat  in  the  afternoon.  Colonel  Minty's  appearance 
on  their  left  flank  was  the  immediate  occasion  of  their 
haste. 

On  the  4th  of  June  we  had  an  especial  shaking  up.  For 
some  days  the  enemy's  cavalry  had  been  prowling  around, 
and  a  force  was  reported  to  be  stationed  near  the  Shelby  - 
ville  pike,  about  six  miles  out.  Our  Division  was  in  line 
very  early,  and  was  so  divided  up  as  to  ''  bag"  the  enemy 
if  possible.  Our  ambush  was  planned,  but  it  did  not  work, 
and  the  troops  returned  at  night  tired  and  worn  out.  Much 


128  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

firing  was  indulged  in  along  the  line,  but  no  serious  damage 
was  done  to  either  side. 

A  few  days  after  this,  Major  McDonald,  with  a  small 
section  of  the  loist,  succeeded  in  capturing  the  enemy's 
picket  station  on  the  Shelbyville  pike,  and  then  rushing 
back  toward  camp,  brought  in  the  vidette  station  also.  The 
remainder  of  our  Regiment  was  on  the  pike  ready  to  help 
him  if  he  should  need  us.  The  Major  received  many  com- 
pliments, and  he  "stepped  high"  for  a  few  days.  We  had 
great  sport  with  him  one  day — Sunday,  after  inspection. 
We  had  marched  out  to  the  place  where  we  always  dis- 
charged our  muskets.  The  Major  had  a  new  horse — bran 
new,  and  very  green.  He  was  a  fine  fellow,  and  the  Major 
sat  him  like  a  king.  On  this  occasion  he  had  on  his  best 
military  outfit,  including  sash  and  gloves.  He  had  taken 
the  Regiment  out  in  good  shape,  and  we  stood  in  line. 
"Company  A-a-a,"  sang  out  the  Major  in  his  best  voice, 
"Ready!  aimlyfrr//"  Every  gun  blazed.  But  the  new 
horse  did  not  understand  it.  He  was  off  in  a  twinkling,  nor 
stopped  until  he  reached  camp.  Some  of  the  boys  almost 
died  of  merriment.  The  Major  soon  quieted  the  trembling 
beast,  and  with  much  coaxing  got  him  within  a  few  rods  of 
our  line,  when  Company  B  suddenly,  as  one  man,  fired — and 
away  to  camp  went  poor  McDonald,  his  coat-tails  flopping 
wildly  in  the  breeze.  He  took  some  time  to  get  the  fright- 
ened animal  back  near  the  line  when  another  Company  fired, 
and  for  the  third  time  our  Major  was  carried,  blue  with  rage, 
back  to  camp.  He  was  finally  compelled  to  leave  his  horse 
in  camp  and  walk  out  to  where  we  were.  We  received  him 
with  a  cheer,  but  Me.  was  ready  to  butcher  the  whole  crowd. 
He  was  advised  as  a  matter  of  safety,  to  ride  his  new  horse 
in  our  next  battle.  Poor  Me.  !  If  he  had  followed  our  ad- 
vice, he  might  have  avoided  the  capture  which  awaited  him 
at  Chickamauga. 


THE   TULLAHOMA   CAMPAIGN.  1 29 

By  this  time  the  railroads  had  been  repaired,  we  had 
gathered  considerable  supplies,  had  been  gathered  at  Nash- 
ville and  Murfreesboro' ,  and  the  time  was  rapidly  approach- 
ing when  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  would  take  up  its 
march  for  the  heart  of  the  Confederacy.  Our  cavalry  force, 
although  too  small,  was  nevertheless  better  and  larger  than 
it  had  been  before.  Our  own  Regiment  was  in  excellent 
condition  in  camp  just  south  of  Murfreesboro'.  The  in- 
formation gathered  on  the  4th  of  June,  together  with  the 
reports  of  spies,  scouts,  and  our  cavalry,  indicated  that  the 
hour  had  at  last  arrived  when  our  army  should  move  forward. 
Orders  were  accordingly  issued  to  that  effect,  and  early  on 
the  morning  of  the  24th  of  June,  1863,  we  broke  camp  for 
good.  The  campaign  upon  which  we  were  just  entering 
was  destined  to  be  a  most  important  one  in  many  respects. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

LIBERTY    GAP — TULLAHOMA   CAMPAIGN. 

The  Confederate  line,  at  the  beginning  of  the  Tullahoma 
Campaign,  extended  from  Spring  Hill,  twenty-five  miles 
west  to  McMinnville,  sixty  miles  southeast  of  Murfreesboro', 
passing  in  a  crude  semi-circular  form  through  Columbia, 
Shelby ville,  Wartrace,  and  Manchester,  with  main  base  of 
supplies  at  Tullahoma,  sixteen  miles  south  of  Shelbyville, 
on  the  Nashville  &  Chattanooga  Railroad.  Shelbyville  was 
the  main  point  of  defense.  Both  Shelbyville  and  Tullahoma, 
strong  by  nature,  were  rendered  especially  so  by  the  erec- 
tion of  very  strong  earthworks  of  almost  every  description. 

To  reach  the  enemy  it  was  necessary  for  our  army  to 
pass  through  defiles  or  gaps  in  the  broken  and  rocky  ranges 
of  hills  that  run  almost  parallel  with  Duck  River,  in  front  of 


130  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

the  position  chosen  by  General  Bragg.  These  gaps  were 
all  in  possession  of  the  enemy,  and  were  considered  so  easy 
of  defense  that  the  Confederates  neglected  to  fortify  them 
except  by  the  use  of  ordinary  field  artillery,  placed  at  avail- 
able points.  Bragg  intended  to  prevent  our  passing  these 
defiles,  if  possible,  but  should  he  fail  in  this,  he  expected  to 
administer  to  us  a  dreadful  defeat  in  front  of  Shelbyville, 
and  then,  hurling  us  back  against  the  rocky  ridge,  he  would 
annihilate  us  in  their  numerous  defiles.  A  fine  scheme  ! 
But  Rosecrans  had  a  plan  of  his  own,  and  ver}^  different 
from  this. 

On  the  morning  of  the  23d  we  received  orders  to  be 
ready  to  march  at  daylight  next  morning.  Our  forces  at 
Franklin  and  Kagleville  received  these  orders  a  day  earlier, 
in  order  to  be  in  proper  supporting  distance  when  we  were 
ready  to  strike.  We  were  to  go  "light,"  carrying  three  days' 
rations  and  an  abundance  of  ammunition.  The  rations 
might  have  to  last  us  five  days.  For  some  weeks  we  had 
expected  to  move  at  almost  any  time,  and  yet  there  was  a 
great  deal  of  quiet  confusion  in  camp  on  the  morning  of  the 
24th.  In  one  way  and  another  we  had  gathered  more  or 
less  "household  goods"  about  us  during  our  stay  at  Mur- 
freesboro',  very  much  of  which  must  now  be  left.  But  little 
camp  equipage  was  to  be  taken — only  one  wagon  being  al- 
lowed to  each  regiment.  At  the  last  moment  everything 
came  with  a  rush  and  went  with  a  bang.  We  flung  that 
away,  kept  this,  and  grabbing  his  blanket  and  pup  tent,  each 
man  rushed  into  line  at  the  well-worn  order,  "fall  in!" 
We  marched  a  few  rods,  halted,  started,  stopped,  and  kept 
up  this  sort  of  business  for  a  half  hour,  and  then  led  out  at  a 
good  round  pace.  We  had  not  gone  far  until  the  rain  began 
to  fall  in  that  peculiar  fashion  which  indicated  that  an  all- 
day  contract  had  been  taken.  Indeed,  the  rain,  which  be- 
gan at  10  o'clock  that  morning,  continued  with  scarcely  a 


BATTLE   OF   LIBERTY   GAP.  131 

let-up  for  seventeen  days — at  least  it  rained  hard  every  day 
for  that  period  of  time.  But  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland 
was  just  entering  upon  an  important  campaign,  and,  rain  or 
shine,  that  campaign  must  be  successfully  completed. 

Bach  corps  of  our  army  had  a  specific  work  before  it  for 
that  first  day.  McCook  was  to  advance  upon  Liberty  Gap  ; 
Thomas,  upon  Hoover's  Gap ;  and  Crittenden,  leaving  Van 
Cleve's  Division  to  garrison  Murf reesboro' ,  was  to  encamp 
near  Readyville. 

Although  we  had  remained  nearly  six  months  at  Mur- 
freesboro',  the  place  "had  few  attractions  for  us,  and  we  had 
no  hesitation  in  leaving  it.  A  feeling  of  sadness,  however, 
came  over  us  as  we  thought  of  our  comrades  who  had  sac- 
rificed their  lives  at  Stone's  River,  whose  final  resting  place 
we  were  leaving,  probably  forever.  But  these  thoughts  were 
soon  vanished  as  we  steadily  advanced  toward  the  enemy  we 
had  so  frequently  encountered  before. 

Our  line  of  march  was,  for  a  time,  by  way  of  the  direct 
Shelbyville  pike,  but  soon  after  noon  we  bore  off  to  the  left, 
and  about  4  o'clock  we  encamped  near  the  village  of 
Millersburg,  within  a  mile  of  Liberty  Gap.  Sheridan  also 
encamped  near  us.  Johnson's  Division,  however,  advanced 
and  halted  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  Gap.  A  recon- 
noitering  party  was  sent  forward  at  once,  which  soon  de- 
veloped the  fact  that  the  enemy  was  present  in  considerable 
force  in  front  of  the  Gap,  and  that  they  would  dispute  our 
entrance.  General  Willich's  Brigade  at  once  deployed  in 
line  of  battle  and  advanced  in  fine  style,  forcing  the  enemy 
back  into  the  Gap  and  upon  their  reserves,  which  were  well 
posted  on  the  hill-sides  commanding  the  defile.  The  enemy 
was  too  strongly  posted  to  justify  a  direct  assault  by  the 
force  under  General  Willich.  A  portion  of  Miller's  Brigade 
was  therefore  brought  up,  which  so  extended  the  Union 
line  as  to  envelope  both  flanks  of  the  enemy's  position. 


132  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

This  line  moved  promptly  and  steadily  forward,  forcing  the 
enemy  back  nearly  two  miles,  but  not  far  enough  to  give 
us  possession  of  the  southern  entrance.  Johnson  encamped 
that  night  in  the  Gap,  near  its  northern  entrance. 

General  Thomas,  with  the  Center,  had  accomplished  his 
task.  He  had  not  only  entered  Hoover's  Gap,  but  had 
driven  the  Confederates  entirely  out  of  it,  and  held  the 
southern  entrance.  This  had  not  been  accomplished  with- 
out some  severe  fighting.  Rebel  General  Hardee  was  in 
command  of  the  Confederate  forces  defending  both  these 
Gaps. 

We  were  in  line  very  early  the  next  morning,  and  at 
once  advanced  to  Johnson's  support.  It  could  not  be  pos- 
sible that  the  enemy  would  surrender  a  pass  so  important  as 
this  without  more  serious  resistance  than  he  had  yet  offered. 
The  morning  was  very  foggy,  rendering  military  operations 
quite  out  of  the  question  until  about  noon.  There  was 
considerable  skirmishing  all  the  forenoon,  most  of  which 
was  quite  harmless.  The  movements  of  our  army  had  con- 
siderably mystified  Bragg  and  his  Lieutenants.  Could  it 
be  possible  that  Rosecrans  was  about  to  ignore  his  fine 
forts  at  Shelby ville  and  endeavor  to  flank  him  out  of  that 
stronghold  !  Hoover's  Gap  was  already  gone  ;  we  held  the 
northern  entrance  of  Liberty  Gap,  and  Bragg  had  no  suf- 
ficient force  at  McMinn ville  or  Manchester  to  seriously  dis- 
pute the  Union  advance  in  that  direction.  He  must  draw 
us  toward  Shelby  ville  if  possible. 

Hardee,  therefore,  took  advantage  of  the  dense  fog  that 
overhung  the  hills  that  forenoon  to  bring  up  reinforcements 
for  the  purpose  of  regaining  what  he  had  lost  during  the 
afternoon  of  the  day  before.  Fearing  something  of  this 
kind,  Rosecrans  had  ordered  our  Division  up  within  easy 
supporting  distance. 

With  the  lifting  of  the  fog  the  intentions  of  the  enemy 


DAVID   E.   HALE, 

COMPANY   F. 

From  photograph  taken  in  1893. 


134  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

became  apparent,  and  dispositions  were  at  once  made  to 
thwart  them.  Evidently  an  assault  was  to  be  made  upon 
us  at  once.  Hardee  knew  the  ground  and  made  his  dispo- 
sitions to  the  best  possible  advantage.  But  Johnson's 
troops  were  in  position,  his  artillery  was  well  posted,  and  a 
strong  skirmish  line  was  well  out  in  front.  Carlin's  Brigade 
was  hurriedly  sent  to  his  assistance,  just  before  the  rebel  as- 
sault was  made.  The  enemy's  first  attempt  was  on  John- 
son's center,  upon  which  they  fell  most  savagely,  but  were 
vigorously  repulsed.  Beaten  here,  they  next  attempted  to 
gain  the  hills  and  attack  our  flanks.  In  this  they  were  also 
foiled.  They  seemed  desperate.  Their  artillery  was  used 
from  the  four  available  points,  and  so  was  ours.  It  was 
very  evident  that  the  final  struggle  would  be  brief,  but 
fierce.  Again  and  again  they  tried  to  find  weak  places  in 
our  line,  but  our  ranks  stood  firm  everywhere.  Still  threat- 
ening our  center,  they  again  attempted  to  flank  us  and  thus 
force  us  out  of  the  defile.  It  was  a  critical  moment,  a  mo- 
ment in  which  the  whole  question  was  to  be  settled.  The 
key  to  the  situation  seemed  to  be  in  the  possession  of  a  hill 
on  our  flank  and  considerably  to  the  front  between  the  lines. 
Both  commanders  seemed  to  discover  the  importance  of  this 
position  at  the  same  moment,  and  each  made  dispositions 
for  its  capture.  The  38th  Illinois,  of  our  Brigade,  was  in- 
stantly detailed  for  the  important  assault.  Grandly  they 
advanced,  but  were  soon  repulsed,  leaving  their  dead  and 
wounded  on  the  field.  By  this  time  a  light  rebel  force  had 
taken  possession  of  the  hill,  and  the  most  strenuous  efforts 
were  being  made  to  bring  up  artillery  \vith  which  to 
defend  it. 

Immediately  on  the  repulse  of  the  38th  Illinois,  General 
Carlin,  who,  since  Stone's  River,  entertained  an  excellent 
opinion  of  the  loist,  asked  Colonel  Kirby  if  he  thought  he 
could  reach  the  hill. 


BATTLE  OF  LIBERTY  GAP.  135 

"  I  will  try,  Sir,"  said  the  Colonel,  "  and  if  you  will 
promise  not  to  interfere,  but  to  give  me  my  own  way,  I  as- 
sure you  some  of  us  will  go  to  the  top." 

General  Carlin  promised,  and  kept  his  word. 

The  Regiment  was  immediately  deployed  at  one  pace  in- 
tervals, the  men  informed  what  was  expected  of  them,  and 
the  Company  officers  directed  to  give  no  orders  except  those 
of  caution.  The  line  was  to  be  wholly  and  exclusively 
under  the  personal  command  of  the  Colonel. 

Calling  the  Color-Bearer,  Sergeant  James  M.  Roberts, 
Colonel  Kirby  said  in  the  hearing  of  us  all : 

' '  Sergeant,  do  you  see  that  dead  tree  just  over  the  hill 
beyond  the  enemy's  first  line?" 

"  I  do,"  said  the  Color- Bearer. 

"  Can  you  take  a  step  just  28  inches  long  and  keep  it  up 
— no  more,  no  less?" 

"I  can,"  said  Roberts. 

"  I  want  you  to  keep  your  eye  on  that  tree,"  said  the 
Colonel,  "  and  I  want  you  to  step  precisely  28  inches  every 
time,  without  halt  or  hesitation,  swerving  neither  to  the  right 
nor  to  the  left — I  want  you  to  go  right  there,  to  that  tree." 

"  I'll  do  it,"  said  the  brave  fellow,  dipping  Old  Glory. 

We  had  heard  every  word,  and  enthusiasm  ran  high. 
We  were  ready. 

"  Forward  !"  and  the  line  moved  out  in  glorious  shape. 
Bach  man  took  a  28-inch  step  and  kept  himself  aligned. 
In  an  incredibly  short  time  the  icist  was  on  the  hill- top — 
Old  Glory  crowned  the  summit — the  crest  was  ours.  The 
force  sent  by  the  rebels  to  hold  it  until  their  artillery  could 
be  brought  up  with  the  necessary  supports  had  been  forced 
back  by  our  advance.  Our  supports  were  near  at  hand — 
the  Confederates  saw  the  game  was  up,  and  fell  suddenly 
back  as  our  supports  came  hurriedly  forward,  the  very  air 
being  full  of  Union  victory. 


136  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

Colonel  Kirby  to  this  day  feels  proud  of  that  splendid 
march.  He  characterizes  it  as  the  most  remarkable  the 
Regiment  ever  made.  He  is  not  at  all  sparing  of  his  praises 
of  the  Color-Bearer,  Sergeant  James  M.  Roberts,  for  the 
important  part  he  played  in  the  matter.  This  work  of  the 
loist  really  settled  the  whole  conflict  for  the  possession  of 
the  Gap — it  turned  the  tide  of  victory  our  way. 

The  enemy  retired  to  the  vicinity  of  Bellbuckle,  leaving 
us  in  full  possession  of  the  field,  giving  us  the  command  of 
the  Gap,  and  its  approaches  at  both  extremities. 

The  affair  at  Liberty  Gap  is  not  set  down  as  one  of  the 
great  events  of  the  war,  yet,  so  far  as  the  Tullahoma  cam- 
paign is  concerned,  it  was  the  severest  struggle  at  arms  that 
occurred.  Hardee  had  his  troops  stationed  at  Wartrace 
and  in  that  vicinity,  and  was  slow  in  bringing  them  into 
action.  Thomas  had  assailed  Hoover's  Gap  with  such  im- 
petuosity that  the  slight  rebel  force  at  its  northern  entrance 
was  forced  back  into  and  through  the  defile  before  relief 
could  be  brought  up.  Not  quite  so  at  Liberty  Gap.  John- 
son was  not  quite  so  impetuous,  and  the  rebel  defending 
force  was  stronger  and  more  determined. 

When  the  enemy  was  driven  from  Hoover's  Gap  they 
took  possession  at  Beech  Grove,  a  few  miles  south  and  east, 
and  showed  signs  of  fight.  Thomas  was  ordered  to  attack 
them,  and,  if  successful,  to  follow  as  rapidly  as  the  state  of 
the  roads  would  allow.  He  employed  the  day  (25th)  that 
we  were  fighting  in  Liberty  Gap,  in  preparing  for  this 
assault.  If  Thomas  pursued  the  enemy,  then  McCook  was 
to  guard  both  the  Gaps.  We  spent  the  26th  in  camp  at  the 
southern  entrance  of  Liberty  Gap,  awaiting  the  outcome  of 
Thomas'  effort.  He  was  successful,  but  could  not  pursue 
the  enemy  very  far.  That  night,  June  26th,  his  line  of 
battle  extended  from  the  vicinity  of  Fairfield  to  within  five 
miles  of  Manchester,  with  McCook  on  his  right  in  strong 


CONCENTRATING  AT  MANCHESTER.         137 

position,  and  Crittenden  on  his  left.  All  this  was  very  dis- 
couraging to  Hardee  and  others  who  were  charged  with  the 
•duty  of  preventing  the  concentration  of  our  army  south  of 
the  ridge.  Indeed,  they  had  been  charged  with  an  impos- 
sible task. 

Bragg  foreseeing  danger,  fell  back  upon  Tullahoma,  but 
this  was  not  known  to  the  Federal  commander  at  the  time. 
Rosecrans  was  seeking  to  draw  Bragg  out  into  the  open 
field  for  battle. 

On  the  next  day  Thomas  moved  his  line  toward  the  left 
a  short  distance  and  established  his  headquarters  in  Man- 
chester, the  Confederate  force  in  that  vicinity  falling  back 
toward  Tullahoma  and  Diehard.  General  Rosecrans  estab- 
lished his  headquarters  in  Manchester  the  same  day,  and 
bent  every  energy  toward  the  immediate  concentration  of 
his  army  near  that  place,  preparatory  to  falling  upon  the 
enemy  at  Tullahoma,  beyond  which  it  was  not  thought 
Bragg  would  retreat.  Rosecrans  had  fully  determined  to 
assail  him  in  this  stronghold  unless  he  should  retreat  still 
further,  in  which  case  he  would  follow  him  and  entangle 
him  in  the  passes  of  the  mountains. 

A  reconnoisance  in  force  was  sent  out  with  the  result  of 
finding  the  enemy  in  fighting  numbers  on  all  the  roads.  It 
was  reported  at  the  same  time  by  a  citizen  that  the  Confed- 
erates were  in  full  retreat.  To  further  test  this  matter,  and 
at  the  same  time  to  cut  the  railroads  in  the  rear  of  the  Con- 
federate position,  a  strong  cavalry  force  was  sent  around 
from  our  left.  Everything  indicated  that  we  were  on  the 
eve  of  a  desperate  battle.  The  plan  of  attack  was  deliber- 
ately made,  and  at  the  proper  moment  announced  to  the 
several  commanders. 

The  plan  of  assault  involved  the  free  use  of  the  bayonet 
from  start  to  finish.  Very  early  on  the  morning  of  the  2nd 
we  were  on  the  march  directly  toward  Tullahoma.  Our 


138  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

artillery  was  almost  helpless  in  the  mud  which  seemed  end- 
less. Time  and  again  we  stacked  arms,  and  putting  our 
shoulders  to  the  wheel,  helped  to  drag  the  heavy  guns  from 
point  to  point.  We  were  so  confident  of  trouble  before 
night  that  we  were  quite  willing  to  aid  in  this  work,  believ- 
ing that  we  should  need  the  guns  at  almost  any  moment. 
Nothing  of  any  special  interest  occurred  on  the  march  until 
about  4  o'clock.  The  rain  ceased  toward  noon,  and  in  the 
afternoon  the  sun  came  out  roasting  hot.  Several  of  the 
boys  were  overcome  with  the  heat,  and  were  not  able  to  go 
further. 

We  had  marched  nearly  ten  miles,  and  were  in  the  im- 
mediate vicinity  of  the  outer  works  of  the  enemy,  north  of 
Tullahoma.  We  were  halted  and  told  what  the  plan  of 
assault  was  to  be.  The  bayonet  was  to  be  relied  on,  and 
every  man  was  to  do  his  duty.  It  was  intimated  that  the 
enemy  might  have  withdrawn — the  assault  would  determine 
that  matter.  When  the  order  came,  at  the  close  of  the  in- 
structions, to  "fix  bayonets,"  many  of  us  were  thrilled  with 
a  peculiar  sensation — by  no  means  pleasant.  I  confess  that 
I  never  had  what  might  be  called  a  consuming  desire  to 
cross  bayonets  with  the  enemy.  Lead  at  a  hundred  yards 
was  as  close  as  I  cared  to  come.  We  soon  fell  in  and  be- 
gan the  march  which  was  to  be  so  important.  We  doted  on 
the  possibility  that  our  bayonets  would  not  be  needed  until 
time  to  make  coffee.  In  a  few  moments  we  were  in  the 
woods — our  line  of  battle  was  carefully  formed,  and  we 
moved  forward  towards  the  "slash,"  which  we  could  see 
through  the  woods,  and  beyond  which  we  could  see  the 
rebel  works. 

Our  cavalry,  which  had  been  sent  out  from  the  left  with 
orders  to  cut  the  Confederate  lines  of  communication,  soon 
discovered  the  fact  that  the  whole  Confederate  army  was  in 
retreat,  that  nearly  the  whole  of  it  had  passed  into  and 


1 


DR.  GEO.   S.  YINGLING, 

ASSISTANT   SURGEON. 

From   Photograph. 


140  STORY    OF    THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

through  the  mountains,  and  that  we  were  marching  upon  a 
deserted  town.  We  discovered  the  fact  the  moment  we  left 
the  woods  and  entered  the  slash.  We  were  not  fired  upon, 
from  which  fact  we  knew  that  there  were  no  rebels  there  to 
fire.  We  were  quickly  convinced  that  we  should  have  had 
a  hard  time  of  it  in  making  our  way  through  that  slash  if 
the  rebel  guns  had  been  sweeping  the  ground  with  grape 
and  canister.  We  moved  steadily  forward,  prepared  for 
action  at  any  instant,  and  in  a  short  time  passed  over  the 
deserted  rifle  pits,  and  between  the  forts,  on  down  through 
the  towrn  into  camp  a  mile  south  of  the  village.  We  breathed 
easier.  But  the  thought  at  once  presented  itself,  "This 
means  another  long  march,  for  these  two  armies  must  fight 
sooner  or  later."  We  did  not  bother  our  heads  greatly  over 
this  matter — we  were  out  of  it  for  the  present — and  the 
future  might  take  care  of  itself. 

Very  early  the  next  morning,  July  3rd,  we  were  on  the 
march  in  pursuit  of  the  fleeing  enemy.  McCook's  Corps 
was  to  pick  up  everything  west  of  the  Nashville  &  Chatta- 
nooga Railroad  as  far  forward  as  to  the  Mountains,  making 
Winchester  our  headquarters.  The  most  serious  opposition 
with  which  we  met  was  the  condition  of  the  roads  and  the 
swollen  rivers  and  streams  we  had  to  cross.  Elk  River  was 
a  seething  torrent.  The  rebels  had  destroyed  all  the 
bridges,  and  in  one  or  two  places  small  detachments  of 
cavalry  were  trying  to  hold  the  fords.  But  a  few  shells,  or 
a  volley  or  two  of  musketry  even  at  long  range,  soon  sent 
them  toward  the  mountains.  The  fording  of  Elk  River 
caused  us  considerable  trouble,  but  we  finally  got  over  and 
went  into  camp  near  the  beautiful  little  town  of  Winchester. 

The  village  was  indeed  most  beautifully  located.  The 
mountains  present  a  most  charming  appearance  during 
certain  portions  of  the  year.  Their  blue  summits  piercing 
the  light,  fleecy  clouds  that  lazily  drift  across  them;  the  oc- 


THE    CHICKAMAUGA    CAMPAIGN.  14! 

casional  showers  born  among  the  crags,  tumbling  headlong 
down  their  rough  sides ;  the  lifting  fog  scattered  by  the  rays 
of  the  morning  sun ;  the  halo  of  evening  resting  like  a 
crown  of  glory  on  the  rugged  peaks ;  the  unutterable  beauty 
of  the  soft  moonlight  resting  in  silence  on  this  whole  region 
of  chaos,  and  gilding  with  silver  this  expression  of  nature's 
wrath — the  whole  scene  filled  us  with  awe  and  admiration, 
and  inspired  a  feeling  of  reverence  for  Him  at  whose  com- 
mand not  the  mountains  alone,  but  the  great  Karth  itself 
stood  forth  in  glorious  majesty. 

It  was  along  the  base  of  this  mountain  range  that  our 
army  lay  at  the  close  of  the  campaign.  Beyond  it,  the 
enemy. 


CHAPTER   XII. 

CHICKAMAUGA. 

It  was  the  iyth  of  August,  1863.  Orders  had  been  issued 
the  day  before  for  the  general  advance  of  the  army.  We 
had  lain  in  camp  at  Winchester  since  the  evening  of  the 
3rd  of  July,  awaiting  the  repair  of  the  railroads  both  in  our 
rear  and  in  our  front,  and  the  accumulation  of  at  least  a 
reasonable  amount  of  provisions  and  supplies  of  all  kinds. 
All  this  had  now  been  accomplished.  Sheridan's  Division 
of  our  Corps  had  already  gone  forward,  and  with  the  com- 
pletion of  the  repairs  on  the  railroad  over  the  mountains, 
had  occupied  Stevenson  and  Bridgeport,  driving  the  rebel 
outposts  at  these  places  across  the  river.  The  enemy  was 
in  force  at  Chattanooga  with  strong  outposts  at  Harrison's 
Banding,  a  few  miles  above  the  city,  and  Hardee's  Corps 
was  still  in  Sequatchie  Valley.  Bragg  did  not  anticipate 
an  attack  on  his  left  by  way  of  Stevenson  and  Bridgeport, 


142  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

but  very  confidently  looked  for  Rosecrans  to  come  at  him 
directly  in  front  of  Chattanooga,  or  possibly,  further  up  the 
river.  He  felt  sure  that  the  Union  army  would  not  attempt 
to  cross  the  Tennessee  River,  Sand  Mountain,  lookout 
Mountain  and  Missionary  Ridge,  while  the  Confederates 
held  Chattanooga  and  vicinity.  He  felt  quite  secure  in  that 
quarter.  He  therefore  waited. 

Rosecrans'  plan  of  campaign  was,  first  of  all,  to  maneuver 
Bragg  out  of  his  strong  position  at  Chattanooga,  into  the 
open  field  where  the  chances  would  be  even.  'To  do  this  he 
must  close  the  Tennessee,  climb  the  mountains,  and  appear  in 
strong  force  well  back  on  Bragg's  flank.  It  was  this  move 
that  we  were  to  commence  on  the  morning  of  August  lyth. 

The  extreme  left,  under  Crittenden,  was  to  advance  down 
Sequatchie  Valley,  drive  Hardee  out,  and  appear  before 
Chattanooga  and  Harrison  with  all  the  confidence  possible. 
The  movement  was  a  feint  to  cover  the  crossing  of  the  river 
by  our  other  Corps.  Crittenden  was  to  make  a  great  noise 
and  do  as  much  damage  as  he  could.  At  the  same  time, 
Thomas  was  to  advance  as  quietly  as  possible,  and  take  posi- 
tion not  far  from  Bridgeport,  but  was  not  to  show  himself 
more  than  was  necessary. 

One  Division  (Sheridan's)  of  our  Corps,  was  already  at 
Bridgeport  and  Stevenson.  Johnson's  Division  was  to  ad- 
vance by  way  of  Bellefonte,  further  to  the  right,  going  into 
camp  near  the  river  at  that  point.  Our  own  Division — 
Davis' — was  to  advance  by  way  of  Cowan,  Mount  Top  and 
Crow  Creek,  encamping  near  Stevenson.  All  these  move- 
ments were  so  well  turned  and  so  promptly  executed  that 
everything  moved  like  clock-work. 

We  encamped  the  first  night  near  Cowan  at  the  base  of 
the  mountains.  Very  early  next  morning  we  were  under 
way.  Occasionally  we  stacked  arms  and  gave  the  artillery 
and  wagon  train  a  lift,  otherwise  they  would  have  remained 


OVER  THE  MOUNTAINS  TO  STEVENSON.  143 

behind.  Our  camp,  that  night  was  on  top  of  the  mountain. 
The  scenery  from  the  sides  of  the  mountain  and  from  the 
town  was  very  fine  and  full  of  inspiration.  If  the  mountains 
from  Winchester  had  presented  a  scene  of  surpassing  beauty, 
the  river  stretched  out  before  us  now  was  equally  charming 
and  radically  different,  entirely  out  of  harmony  with  the 
war-like  mission  in  which  we  were  engaged.  Reveille 
sounded  at  2  o'clock  next  morning,  and  a  march  of  18  miles 
brought  us  to  camp  near  Stevenson.  Every  Brigade,  Divi- 
sion and  Corps  was  on  deck  and  in  its  place  awaiting  the 
next  move.  The  river  was  carefully  reconnoitered  for  the 
best  crossing  places.  These  were  soon  determined  :  Shell- 
mound,  Bridgeport,  Caperton's  and  Bellefonte.  Caperton's 
and  Bridgeport  were  the  principal  crossings.  To  our  Division 
fell  the  duty  of  laying  the  pontoon  across  the  Tennessee  at 
Caperton's,  near  Stevenson.  As  soon  as  the  pontoon  train 
could  be  brought  up  we  took  position  on  the  north  or  right 
bank  of  the  river,  sending  a  couple  of  regiments  across  to 
protect  that  end  of  the  bridge  when  laid.  A  small  cavalry 
force  of  the  enemy  on  the  opposite  bank  showed  some  signs 
of  interference  and  were  promptly  shelled,  whereupon  they 
left  us  in  our  glory.  The  2ist  and  38th  Illinois,  of  our 
Brigade,  were  the  first  to  pass  over  after  the  bridge  was 
finished,  followed  by  the  artillery  of  two  Brigades.  Our 
own  Regiment  and  the  artillery  of  another  Brigade  remained 
over  Sunday  on  the  north  bank.  From  the  moment  the 
bridge  was  completed,  on  Saturday  evening,  until  the  Mon- 
day night  following,  troops  and  trains  and  artillery  were 
constantly  passing  over  the  bridge.  The  column  seemed 
to  be  unbroken.  A  portion  of  Thomas'  troops  passed  here 
though  most  of  his  men  crossed  at  Bridgeport. 

On  Monday  morning  we  crossed  and  took  our  place  in 
the  column.  The  ascent  of  Sand  Mountain  we  found  to  be 
about  as  difficult  as  that  of  the  Cumberland  at  Cowan. 


144  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

Here,  as  there,  we  were  obliged  to  assist  the  artillery  and 
trains,  but  this  was  done  very  cheerfully,  as  we  had  good 
reason  to  believe  both  would  be  handy  to  have  around  a  little 
later  on.  Sand  Mountain  is  well  named.  It  has  a  flat  top, 
about  12  miles  wide  where  we  crossed,  and  is  as  sterile  as  the 
middle  of  an  Ohio  State  Road.  The  few  people — citizens— 
that  we  saw,  did  not  look  as  though  they  knew  enough  to 
last  them  through  the  week,  nor  did  their  actions  belie  their 
looks.  Our  camp  that  evening  was  near  the  southern  slope 
of  the  mountain.  Descending  next  day  we  went  into  camp 
in  Will's  Valley.  This  is  a  long,  narrow  affair  lying  between 
Sand  and  Lookout  mountains,  through  which  Lookout  Creek 
flows  into  the  Tennessee  a  few  miles  below  Chattanooga. 
Many  small  farmers — exceedingly  small,  some  of  them,  live 
in  this  valley.  A  pig,  a  patch  of  potatoes,  a  pipe  and  a  hunk 
of  pone,  are  all  that  are  necessary  to  a  cracker's  existence. 
We  soon  moved  our  camp  across  the  valley  to  Winston's,  at 
the  entrance  to  a  gap  in  Lookout  Mountain  bearing  the  same 
name.  On  the  gth  of  September  several  Divisions  of  the 
army  south  of  the  river  having  come  into  supporting  distance 
of  each  other,  we  broke  camp,  and  passed  across  Lookout 
Mountain  into  Shinbone  Valley— a  march  of  18  miles. 
Lookout,  like  Sand  Mountain,  is  quite  flat  at  this  crossing. 
Near  the  summit  at  Winston's  Gap  is  a  very  beautiful  water- 
fall. The  water,  plunging  over  a  precipice,  strikes  the 
bottom  nearly  90  feet  below.  Some  of  us  discovered  this 
while  scouting,  but  on  attempting  to  return  we  found  that 
we  were  within  the  Confederate  line,  as  was  clearly  proven 
by  our  capturing  two  of  their  pickets,  belonging  to  Wheeler's 
Cavalry  Division.  About  the  only  information  we  could  get 
out  of  these  intelligent  fellows  was  that  "  you'ns  '11  git  licked 
like  -  -  when  you  git  down  on  the  other  side  of  this  'ere 
mountain."  Our  "  scouting"  was  an  irregular  affair — we 
had  been  out  hunting  for  peaches,  and  accidentally  stumbled 


ANDREW  J.   SCHNURR, 

COMPANY   E. 

From  old  photograph. 


1(1 


146  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

upon  the  falls  and  also  the  rebel  pickets.  We  were  brought 
up  with  a  round  turn  for  being  outside  our  line.  First  we 
received  a  scoring  from  our  Captains ;  then  we  were  called 
before  Col.  Kirby,  who  gave  it  to  us  pretty  straight,  and  then 
we  were  hauled  up  before  Gen.  Carlin  who  poured  several 
broadsides  into  us.  The  thing  was  getting  monotonous  and 
tiresome.  The  more  the  General  talked,  the  more  indignant 
he  became  at  our  "lack  of  common  sense."  He  subsided 
very  gracefully  and  promptly  when  in  sheer  self-defense  we 
informed  him  that  his  younger  brother,  his  own  aide,  was 
with  us. 

I  have  the  old  pass  yet  which  permitted  me  to  go  and 
come  through  our  lines  at  pleasure,  without  question,  but  I 
came  near  losing  it  on  this  occasion.  [I  was  Brigade  Topo- 
graphical Engineer  for  a  time]. 

Passing  down  the  slope  of  L,ookout  into  Shinbone  Val- 
ley, we  came  near  to  Alpine,  Georgia — the  first  time  we  had 
crossed  the  line  into  that  State. 

From  the  loth  to  the  i6th  of  September,  there  is  no  pos- 
sible explanation  of  the  movements  of  either  army  except 
on  the  ground  that  neither  commander  knew7  where  the 
other  was,  nor  what  he  was  trying  to  do.  Bragg  marched 
and  countermarched,  passing  sometimes  within  cannon  shot 
of  our  isolated  Brigades.  One  of  our  Divisions — Negley's — 
marched  boldly  down  a  narrow  winding  mountain  gap  almost 
into  the  very  embrace  of  a  whole  rebel  Corps.  But  neither 
side  knew  it  for  some  time,  then  Negley  whistled  for  help 
and  actually  got  away.  But  his  getting  away  was  due  more 
to  insubordination  in  the  Confederate  lines  than  to  anything 
else,  though  he  managed  well.  When  Bragg  finally  learned 
that  Negley  was  in  the  cove,  Mcl^imore's,  he  ordered  an  as- 
sault by  fully  30,000  men.  Poor  Negley  !  and  poor  Baird 
who  was  at  the  top  of  the  mountain  at  the  entrance  to  the 
gap  into  the  cove!  Hindman  was  to  slip  around  and  get 


REBEL    BLUNDERS.  147 

into  Negley's  rear  and  on  his  flank.  Buckner's  Division 
was  ordered  around  to  help  Hindman — making  two  Divi- 
sions on  flank  and  rear.  Moreover,  Folk's  Corps  was  to 
support  this  brave  movement.  Cleburne  was  to  attack  in 
front  the  moment  Hindman 's  guns  were  heard.  Bragg  was 
at  the  front  with  Cleburne  to  see  that  the  thing  was  well 
done.  But  Hindman  and  Buckner  wanted  to  do  it  some 
other  way,  and  Bragg  wouldn't  let  them.  They  were  there- 
fore not  enthusiastic.  Instead  of  attacking  Negley  at  day- 
light, as  Hindman  had  been  ordered  to  do,  he  took  his  own 
time.  Poor  Bragg  waited  at  Cleburne's  headquarters  all  the 
forenoon  and  until  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  when  Hind- 
man's  first  gun  was  heard. 

Hindman  was  so  slow  that  when  he  did  attack  he  found 
the  cove  empty.  Negley,  discovering  his  danger,  promptly 
withdrew.  For  pure,  unadulterated  bungling,  the  palm  be- 
longed to  the  Confederates  on  this  occasion.  But  Bragg 
was  neglecting  another  opportunity  equally  favorable.  Our 
Brigade  and  most  of  McCook's  Corps  were  in  Shinbone 
valley,  not  far  from  Alpine,  entirely  out  of  touch  with  the 
rest  of  the  army.  Bragg  gave  us  no  attention,  but  allowed 
us  to  get  away  in  perfect  safety. 

It  should  have  been  stated  that  as  soon  as  the  Confeder- 
ate commander  was  satisfied  that  Rosecrans'  main  attack 
would  be  made  on  his  left  flank,  he  withdrew  his  army  from 
Chattanooga,  and  remained  more  or  less  on  the  wing,  in  the 
vicinity  of  Ringold,  Gordon's  Mills  and  L/afayette,  hoping 
to  catch  the  Union  army  as  it  debouched  from  the  moun- 
tains into  the  open  country.  His  intentions  were  strictly  in 
accordance  with  business,  but  his  subordinates  were  careless, 
insubordinate,  or  incompetent.  The  two  incidents  given 
above  are  in  illustration.  Another  was  the  case  of  Critten- 
den,  who  entered  Chattanooga  when  Bragg  left  it,  and  who 
had  advanced  well  down  toward  Gordon's  Mills.  After 


148  STORY    OF    THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

vainly  trying  to  catch  Negley,  Bragg  ordered  Polk  to  attack 
Crittenden  in  his  exposed  position,  and  take  him  dead  or 
alive.  So  important  did  Bragg  consider  this  movement  that 
he  sent  three  separate  orders  to  the  Rev.  General  with  posi- 
tive instructions  to  attack  at  once.  But  Polk  simply  sat 
down  in  what  he  called  an  offensive-defensive  position,  that 
is,  he  drew  up  his  army,  showed  his  teeth,  growled  at  long 
range,  but  was  quite  as  ready  to  move  backward  as  forward 
should  prudence  get  the  better  of  valor. 

While  these  things  were  transpiring  in  Critten den's  and 
Thomas'  fronts,  our  Corps  (McCook's)  was  prowling  around 
in  Shinbone  Valley,  near  Alpine. 

On  the  evening  of  the  i2th,  our  several  Corps  were  lo- 
cated as  follows :  Crittenden  had  concentrated  his  entire 
force  in  the  vicinity  of  Gordon's  Mills,  with  Polk  not  far 
away;  Thomas  was  in  McLimore's  Cove,  near  Cooper's  and 
Stevens'  Gaps,  and  the  remainder  of  the  Confederate  army 
was  back  of  Pigeon  Mountain,  a  short  distance  away,  writh 
strong  outposts  at  Dug  and  Catlett's  Gaps.  Bragg's  head- 
quarters were  at  Lafayette ;  McCook  was  at  Alpine,  twenty 
miles  southwest  of  Thomas. 

Bragg,  utterly  disgusted  with  the  inexcusable  failure  of 
his  attempts  to  crush  our  army  in  detail,  gave  orders  on  the 
1 3th  for  the  concentration  of  his  forces  on  the  right,  or  east 
bank  of  Chickamauga,  for  general  battle. 

Twenty-four  hours  before  that  time,  General  Rosecrans 
had  sent  a  messenger  in  hot  haste,  ordering  McCook  to  with- 
draw from  his  exposed  position  at  Alpine  and  close  on 
Thomas  at  the  first  possible  moment.  Haste  and  discipline 
were  everything. 

On  the  morning  of  the  I3th,  therefore,  at  the  same  hour 
that  orders  for  the  concentration  of  the  Confederate  forces 
on  the  east  bank  of  the  Chickamauga  were  issued,  we  be- 
gan our  march  back  across  Lookout  for  the  purpose  of  taking 


HIRAM  C.  MODERWELL, 

COMPANY  C. 

From   photograph  taken   m   1894. 


150  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

our  position  on  Thomas'  right.  We  crossed  the  mountain 
and  encamped  the  next  evening  five  miles  north  of  Wins- 
ton's in  Will's  Valley.  Strange  as  it  may  seem,  we  remained 
here  until  the  middle  of  the  afternoon  of  the  next  day,  and 
then  marched  back  to  Winston's,  ascended  the  Gap  and  went 
into  camp  a  few7  miles  out  on  a  mountain  road  leading  east- 
ward. Reveille  sounded  very  early  next  morning,  and  we 
were  off  at  once.  A  wearisome  march  across  Lookout  in 
the  direction  of  Stevens'  Gap,  brought  us  to  the  head  of  that 
pass  just  before  night.  The  next  morning  we  descended 
into  the  valley — McL,imore's  Cove — and  at  once  formed  line 
of  battle.  We  confidently  expected  an  assault — certainly  by 
the  enemy's  cavalry,  and  possibly  by  their  infantry  also,  but 
it  did  not  come,  and  after  a  careful  reconnoisance  we  moved 
to  our  left  and  forward  several  miles,  meeting  no  particular 
opposition.  We  encamped  that  night — the  iyth — in  line  of 
battle  along  the  road  leading  from  the  Cove  to  Gordon's 
Mills  and  Chattanooga.  The  picket  line  was  doubled,  and 
every  precaution  was  taken  to  guard  against  surprise.  We 
were  in  line  at  three  o'clock  next  morning,  but  did  not  move 
until  6  o'clock.  We — McCook's  Corps,  and  a  portion  of 
Thomas' — were  separated  from  the  main  body  of  the  Con- 
federate army  by  the  narrow  ridge  of  Pigeon  mountain. 
The  two  armies  were  from  three  to  five  miles  apart.  Very 
many  of  us  had  quite  a  correct  notion  of  their  relative 
position. 

When  Bragg  found  that  he  could  not  defeat  our  army 
in  detail,  he  began  to  wish  himself  back  in  Chattanooga  be- 
hind his  fortifications.  If  General  Polk  had  obeyed  orders 
and  assailed  Crittenden  the  moment  he  arrived  in  his 
vicinity,  he  might  have  opened  the  way,  but  that  was  not 
done,  and  now  that  the  two  armies  lay  confronting  each 
other  in  a  more  or  less  confused  and  uncertain  state,  it  be- 
came evident  that  a  great  battle  must  be  fought  for  the  pos- 


CONCENTRATING   FOR   BATTLE.  151 

session  of  the  high  road  leading  to  Chattanooga.  As  the 
cords  began  to  tighten,  and  the  conditions  became  more  and 
more  intense,  Bragg  was  seized  with  the  notion  that  he 
must  have  posession  of  the  aforesaid  road.  To  accomplish 
this  end  he  concentrated  his  forces  on  the  east  side  of  Chick- 
amauga,  so  that  his  right  should  greatly  overlap  the  Union 
left,  as  nearly  as  he  could  make  out  where  our  left  was. 
His  intention  was  to  crush  Crittenden  as  he  had  crushed 
McCook  at  Stone's  River,  and  then  holding  the  roads  lead- 
ing to  Chattanooga,  he  would  fall  upon  Thomas  and  McCook 
and  beat  them  before  they  could  concentrate  for  effective 
defense.  His  plan  was  doomed  to  failure. 

It  should  be  noticed  that  on  the  i8th  and  the  early 
morning  of  the  igth,  Bragg  received  large  reinforcements, 
both  from  Lee's  Army  in  Virginia  and  Pemberton's  Army, 
recently  paroled  at  Vickburg.  The  only  assistance  Rose- 
crans  received  was  the  sending  of  Burnside  into  East  Ten- 
nessee, but  this  was  in  reality  no  assistance,  as  it  resulted  in 
the  sending  of  Buckner's  Division  from  that  quarter  to 
Bragg  at  Chickamauga.  Moreover,  Bragg  had  the  advan- 
tage of  knowing  every  inch  of  ground  on  which  the  two 
armies  were  about  to  advance. 

Bragg's  orders,  issued  on  the  i3th,  for  the  concentration 
of  his  forces  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Chickamauga,  were 
being  slowly  executed,  his  Corps  Commanders  feeling  that 
they  had  plenty  of  time.  With  the  withdrawal  of  Bragg's 
forces  from  the  vicinity  of  Lafayette,  Thomas  crept  cau- 
tiously toward  Crittenden,  but  could  not  extend  his  front 
very  much,  not  knowing  just  how  large  a  force  the  enemy 
had  left  at  Lafayette  to  look  after  our  right.  This  concen- 
tration of  the  enemy  was  well  known  to  Rosecrans,  Thomas 
and  Crittenden,  and  the  moment  that  McCook  arrived  and 
fell  into  line  at  Stevens'  Gap,  Thomas  moved  his  two  Corps 
toward  the  left,  encamping  on  the  evening  of  the  iyth  at 


152  STORY    OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

Pond  Spring.  He  was  now  well  closed  up  on  Crittenden's 
right — and  Rosecrans  began  to  breathe  more  easily.  In  the 
afternoon  of  the  iyth,  we  followed  Thomas  toward  the  left 
about  five  miles  and  encamped  for  the  night. 

We  were  expected  to  move  toward  our  left  as  rapidly  as 
possible  on  the  morning  of  the  i8th,  so  as  to  get  our  Divi- 
sion closed  well  up  on  Thomas'  right.  But  his  trains  were  in 
the  road  to  such  an  extent  that  we  made  very  slow  progress. 
We  were  constantly  ready  to  come  to  a  battle  front,  but  had 
no  occasion  to  do  so.  On  account  of  Thomas'  trains,  McCook 
was  obliged  to  encamp  on  the  evening  of  the  1 8th  at  Pond 
Spring,  six  miles  southwest  of  Crawfish  Spring,  and  ten  miles 
by  road  from  Gordon's  Mills.  A  detachment  of  Mitchell's 
Cavalry  was  stationed  a  short  distance  in  advance  of  us,  and 
just  across  the  river  facing  them  was  Wheeler's  Confederate 
Cavalry.  During  the  night  the  trains  had  moved  forward 
and  to  the  left  out  of  the  way,  so  that  early  in  the  morning 
we  moved  forward,  reaching  Crawfish  Springs  between  8 
o'clock  and  9  o'clock,  no  especial  incident  occurring  on  the 
way. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

BATTLE   OF   CHICKAMAUGA. 

It  was  a  beautiful  Indian  Summer  morning,  perfect  in 
every  respect.  We  all  enjoyed  it  greatly,  but  realized  that 
its  beautiful  serenity  would  be  broken  before  night  in  all 
human  probability.  We,  in  the  ranks,  had  gathered  suffi- 
cient information  to  cause  us  to  believe  that  both  armies 
were  pushing  as  rapidly  as  possible  northward  toward 
Chattanooga,  and  that  they  were  liable  to  come  into  collision 
at  any  moment.  In  a  general  way  we  were  correct. 


LIEUTENANT  ISAAC  P.  RULE, 

COMPANY  I. 

KILLED  AT  BATTLE  OF  CHICK AMAUGA,  SEPTEMBER  20, 


154  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

The  Battle  of  Chickamauga  is  very  difficult  to  describe. 
It  was  a  sort  of  running  fight  for  a  time,  both  armies  being 
vigorously  engaged  in  shifting  further  to  the  north — on  our 
side,  for  the  purpose  of  holding  more  securely  the  roads 
leading  into  Chattanooga,  and  on  the  Confederate  side,  for 
the  purpose  of  regaining  control  of  these  roads  so  as  to  shut 
Rosecrans  out  of  that  stronghold  and  force  him  back  into 
the  mountains,  where  his  army  might  be  destroyed  in  their 
rugged  defiles. 

The  general  conflict  was  brought  on  rather  by  accident 
while  this  movement  was  in  progress,  and  before  either  com- 
mander was  ready.  So  rapid  had  been  the  change  of 
position  of  Brigades'  Divisions  and  Corps,  and  so  completely 
had  corps  lines  been  broken  up  by  the  exigencies  of  the 
hour,  that  neither  commander  knew  the  position  of  the 
other.  Indeed,  he  did  well  to  know  the  exact  location  of  his 
own  Brigades  and  Divisions. 

Almost  half  the  Confederate  army  had  crossed  over  to 
the  west  side  of  Chickamauga,  and  yet  it  was  reported  to 
General  Thomas  about  10  o'clock  on  Saturday  morning,  the 
1 9th,  that  a  single  Confederate  Brigade  had  been  seen  in  the 
woods  near  Reed's  Bridge,  and  that  inasmuch  as  that  bridge 
had  been  captured  the  night  before,  the  capture  of  this  rebel 
force  would  be  an  easy  and  proper  thing.  The  fact  was 
that  five  Divisions,  comprising  nearly  twenty  Brigades 
were  across  the  river  ready  for  business  at  that  moment. 
Yet  all  unconscious  of  this,  General  Thomas  ordered  General 
Brannan  to  advance  and  see  what  he  could  find.  Instead  of 
one  Brigade  he  found  the  woods  full  of  them.  He  had 
advanced  so  far  and  pressed  his  inquiries  so  closely  that  he 
could  not  fall  back  without  greatly  endangering  his  whole 
line.  Baird's  Division  was  therefore  sent  to  his  assistance. 
The  two  Divisions  were  at  once  assailed  by  Forrest's  Cavalry, 
by  Willson's  and  Eaton's  Brigades,  and  later  by  Walker's 


BATTLE   OF   CHICKAMAUGA.  155 

Division.  After  a  gallant  fight  they  (Brannan  and  Baird) 
were  compelled  to  give  way,  Baird  losing  one  of  his  batteries. 
Thus  the  great  battle  was  commenced  very  unexpectedly  to 
both  sides.  So  unready  were  the  Confederates  that  Brannan, 
with  his  single  Division,  drove  the  enemy  about  a  half  mile 
before  they  could  get  upon  their  feet.  Rallying,  they  re- 
gained their  lost  ground,  and,  although  supported  by  Baird, 
our  side  was  so  unready  that  not  a  man  could  be  sent  to 
reinforce  our  driven  lines  until  it  was  too  late. 

Shortly  after  this  repulse,  Johnson,  of  McCook's  Corps, 
arrived  upon  the  field,  and  was  sent  at  once  to  form  on 
Baird 's  right,  but  Baird  was  not  able  to  do  much  fighting 
for  awhile.  The  result  was  that  Johnson  was  driven  back 
with  great  loss.  By  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  through 
excellent  fighting  but  bad  generalship,  our  lines  north  of  the 
Vineyard  Farm  had  lost  very  heavily,  had  been  driven  back 
to  the  Chattanooga  road,  and  in  at  least  two  places  across  it, 
and  generally  the  battle  was  going  heavily  against  us. 

As  already  stated,  McCook's  Corps,  excepting  Post's 
Brigade,  which  was  guarding  Stevens'  Gap,  reached  Crawfish 
Springs  about  9  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

It  was  here  that  we  heard  the  first  unmistakable  rumb- 
lings of  the  great  battle,  soon  to  become  general.  Filling 
our  canteens  at  the  beautiful  spring  that  gushes  in  great 
abundance  from  the  broken  rock  in  the  hillside,  we  were 
placed  in  position  to  guard  the  crossings  of  the  river,  or  to 
move  elsewhere,  as  occasion  might  require.  In  our  imme- 
diate front,  near  the  bridge  over  Chicamauga,  and  still  fur- 
ther to  our  right,  there  was  considerable  firing — mostly  ar- 
tillery. We  rested  in  line  of  battle.  The  beauty  and  balmi- 
ness  of  the  glorious  morning  were  wholly  lost  sight  of  in  the 
face  of  the  coming  storm  of  battle,  indications  of  which 
were  unmistakable  on  every  hand. 

General  Rosecrans,  with  his  staff,  was  at  Crawfish  Springs 


156  STORY    OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

nearly  two  hours ;  while  we  lay  there  the  constant  coming 
and  going  of  officers  and  orderlies,  some  of  them  in  hot 
haste,  was  evidence  that  the  situation  was  exceedingly  grave, 
and  that  events  of  great  importance  were  already  taking 
place,  in  widely  separated  portions  of  the  field.  There  was 
no  sign  of  excitement  or  nervousness  about  the  General,  but 
he  was  exceedingly  prompt  and  decisive  in  his  issuing  of  or- 
ders. These  orders,  for  a  time  at  least,  included  a  continu- 
ance of  the  "side-step"  toward  the  north,  that  our  whole 
army,  and  not  simply  a  few  Brigades,  might  cover  the  roads 
leading  to  Chattanooga — that  is,  that  our  left  might  overlap 
the  enemy's  right.  This  movement  was  continued,  notwith- 
standing the  fact  that  the  hostile  forces  had  already  come 
into  collision,  and  were  at  that  moment  engaged  in  fierce 
conflict.  This  was  not  a  notion  —  it  was  a  necessity  — 
to  meet  a  similar  movement  on  the  part  of  the  enemy. 
Rosecrans  seemed  consumed  with  the  importance  of  keep- 
ing Bragg  off  the  Chattanooga  road.  About  u  o'clock, 
Breckinridge,  from  the  south  side  of  the  river  near  Gordon's 
Mills,  opened  up  a  furious  cannonade  on  Wood,  who  held  our 
line  at  that  point.  It  was  principally  noise,  for  his  batteries 
were  neither  well  posted  nor  well  served.  At  the  same  time 
a  Division  crossed  the  river,  but  after  fifteen  or  twenty 
minutes'  fighting,  was  glad  to  return.  Very  soon  after  this, 
a  messenger  from  General  Thomas  handed  General  Rose- 
crans a  dispatch.  Instantly  an  order  was  issued  to  General 
McCook,  and  a  moment  later  Davis'  Division  was  in  line 
and  off  at  a  quick  step  toward  the  north.  We  had  been  or- 
dered to  report  to  Thomas,  and  thither  we  went  as  fast  as 
we  could  go,  following  a  dirt  road  which  runs  parallel  with 
the  Chattanoga  road,  past  the  Widow  Glenn's  house,  soon  to 
become  General  Rosecrans'  headquarters. 

We  had  before  us  a  march  of  something  over  five  miles, 
the  first  four  of  which  were  made  at  almost  a  trot,  the  last 


BATTLE   OF   CHICKAMAUGA.  157 

mile  or  more  at  a  double-quick.  The  loist  had  the  lead  of 
our  Brigade,  although  Heg's  Brigade  led  the  general  line 
on  this  march.  There  was  much  excitement  as  we  ap- 
proached the  field.  Evidently  we  were  coming  into  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  the  severest  of  severe  fighting.  Not  a 
man  hesitated.  Filing  across  a  corner  of  a  field  we  were 
rushed  into  position  in  the  open  fields  of  the  Vineyard 
Farm,  just  over  the  brow  of  a  slight  eminence,  on  the  side 
sloping  toward  the  enemy  concealed  in  the  woods.  General 
Heg's  Brigade  was  in  the  woods  on  our  left.  For  a  short 
time  Carlin's  Brigade  was  the  extreme  right  of  our  effective 
front  in  this  part  of  the  field.  There  was  a  bad  break  be- 
tween Carlin  and  the  troops  in  the  vicinity  of  Gordon's 
Mill-.  Our  line,  as  we  came  upon  the  field,  was  formed 
under  a  murderous  fire  from  rebel  sharpshooters  and  skir- 
mishers. The  rebel  lines  were  being  formed  and  adjusted 
under  cover  of  the  woods.  We  were  instantly  ordered  down 
upon  our  faces,  an  order  we  cheerfully  obeyed.  We  were 
not  permitted  to  lie  there  long,  for  the  crisis  of  the  day's 
battle  had  arrived,  and  must  be  fought  to  a  finish  on  the 
Vineyard  Farm. 

Davis'  Division  had  arrived  most  opportunely.  The 
message  which  Rosecrans  had  received  from  Thomas  and 
which  set  our  Division  in  motion,  reported  the  result  of 
Brannan's  and  Baird's  first  set-to  with  the  enemy,  briefly 
outlined  above.  Very  soon  after  this,  Johnson  of  our  Corps, 
reported  on  the  field,  and  was  immediately  formed  on  Baird's 
right.  Palmer,  who  came  upon  the  field  at  the  same  time, 
was  formed  on  his  right,  and  on  Palmer's  right,  Reynolds. 
While  all  this  was  being  done,  the  Confederates  had  also 
been  adjusting  their  lines.  Walker's  entire  Corps  was 
added  to  the  host,  and  the  rebel  line  was  on  the  point  of  ad- 
vancing. As  soon  as  our  new  line,  consisting — from  left  to 
right — of  Brannan,  Baird,  Johnson,  Palmer  and  Reynolds, 


158  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

had  been  formed,  it  assumed  the  offensive  and  bore  down  on 
the  enemy  with  such  irresistible  force  as  to  drive  them  back 
in  confusion.  Brannan  recaptured  the  battery  taken  from 
Baird  in  the  first  assault.  The  enemy  were  crowded  back 
at  the  point  of  the  bayonet  until  they  reached  their  original 
position.  At  this  critical  moment,  General  Bragg  ordered 
Cheatham's  whole  Corps  into  line.  Crowding  Brannan  and 
Baird  back,  they  fell  in  great  force  upon  Johnson,  driving 
him  from  his  position  ;  then  concentrating  on  Palmer,  they 
forced  him  back,  and  also  Van  Cleve,  who  was  coming  to 
his  assistance.  This  left  Reynolds  so  exposed  that  he,  too, 
was  compelled  to  yield,  but  not  until  he  and  Van  Cleve  had 
hotly  contested  every  inch  of  the  way.  But  the  Confed- 
erates were  victorious  along  our  entire  left  and  well  down 
toward  the  center.  Disaster  seemed  to  attend  our  efforts  at 
ever}7  point.  The  second  epoch  in  the  battle  had  been 
decided  against  the  Union  Army. 

It  was  at  this  stage  of  the  battle  that  our  Division  arrived 
on  the  ground,  as  stated  above.  Indeed,  the  roar  of  the 
musketry  and  artillery  on  our  immediate  left  as  we  formed 
in  line,  was  still  in  full  cry,  it  being  the  supreme  effort  of  the 
enemy  to  crush  Palmer,  Reynolds  and  Van  Cleve.  Very 
soon  after  we  came  into  position,  they  were  successful,  the 
Union  lines  being  crowded  back  to  and,  in  one  or  two  in- 
stances, across  the  road.  The  National  line,  though  shat- 
tered and  badly  broken,  was  at  once  reformed  along  the 
Chattanooga  road,  ready  for  the  best  work  possible.  But 
the  scene  of  conflict  was  to  be  moved  to  the  Vineyard  Farm 
and  its  immediate  vicinity. 

No  member  of  the  zoist  who  was  present  on  that  after- 
noon when  we  went  into  line,  will  forget  the  scene.  Com- 
ing upon  the  field,  as  we  did,  on  the  double-quick,  we  were 
glad  to  lie  down  as  soon  as  we  came  into  position.  The 
fighting  at  that  time  was  almost  wholly  on  our  left.  Near 


GEORGE  F.  DRAKE, 

COMPANY   D. 

From  photograph  taken  in  1894. 


160  STORY   OF   THK    IOIST   OHIO. 

us,  in  that  direction,  the  roar  of  musketry  seemed  to  be 
almost  constant,  sometimes  rolling  off  further  to  the  left, 
then  surging  back  toward  us  until  it  seemed  to  be  at  our 
very  elbows,  while  frequently  the  crash  of  cannon  by  single 
piece,  section,  or  entire  battery,  hammered  and  pounded  and 
shook  the  very  earth,  filling  the  air  with  shot  and  sharpnell 
and  bursting  shell.  The  unearthly  music  to  which  we  list- 
ened as  we  lay  there  was  greatly  intensified  by  the  frequency 
of  battle  yells  as  charging  columns  met  their  equals  in 
countercharge,  and  by  the  further  knowledge  that  Death 
and  Destruction  were  then  and  there  reaping  an  abundant 
harvest.  In  the  midst  of  all  this  we  were  ordered  to  our 
feet  and  into  the  woods  directly  in  front  of  us.  Carlin  was 
to  lead,  followed  by  Heg  further  to  the  left,  in  such  a  way 
that  by  means  of  a  half-wheel  our  entire  battle  line  might 
be  formed  as  soon  as  the  enemy's  left  should  be  struck. 
Without  hesitation  on  the  part  of  any,  the  order  to  advance 
was  obeyed  with  alacrity.  We  had  but  little  difficulty  in 
clearing  our  front  of  skirmishers  and  sharp-shooters.  Ad- 
vancing cautiously,  but  steadily,  through  the  dense  woods, 
we  soon  struck  a  strong  rebel  force  advancing  obliquely 
across  our  front  toward  our  left.  Instantly  the  two  lines 
became  engaged  in  a  most  desperate  conflict.  But  little 
artillery  could  be  used  on  account  of  the  density  of  the 
woods.  Our  Division  Artillery  had  been  posted  on  the 
slight  eminence  in  front  of  which  we  had  formed  on  coming 
upon  the  field.  Hearing  the  din  of  battle  in  Carlin's  front, 
Colonel  Heg  hurried  his  Brigade  forward  into  line  in  time 
to  receive  a  severe  assault  made  by  the  left  of  the  Confed- 
erate line  that  had  just  crushed  Reynolds  and  Van  Cleve. 
He  made  a  vigorous  though  fruitless  stand.  Colonel  Heg 
was  killed  very  early  in  the  conflict,  and  his  Brigade  became 
demoralized  and  soon  fell  back  in  considerable  confusion. 
They  retreated  through  the  woods  toward  the  Chattanooga 


BATTLE   OF   CHICKAMAUGA.  l6l 

road,  near  the  point  at  which  we  had  crossed  it  on  entering 
the  field.  The  enemy  followed  them  closely,  taking  many 
prisoners. 

About  noon,  General  Wood,  in  command  of  a  Division 
at  Gordon's  Mills,  and  General  Barnes,  in  command  of  one 
of  Van  Cleve's  Brigades  near  the  same  place,  had  been 
ordered  further  to  the  left.  Wood  reached  the  field  at  the 
moment  that  Heg's  broken  columns  reached  the  road. 
Forming  one  of  his  Brigades  at  the  entrance  to  the  woods, 
and  the  other  in  the  open  fields  just  back  of  the  crest  and 
to  the  left  of  our  Division  Artillery,  he  allowed  the  strag- 
glers to  pass  through  and  then  poured  shot  and  shell  and 
musketry  into  the  advancing  force  until  they  were  glad  to 
stop.  In  addition  to  this,  two  batteries  a  little  further  to 
our  left,  opened  on  them  with  terrible  effect.  During  this 
time  Carlin's  Brigade  was  engaged  in  a  most  desperate  con- 
test in  the  woods.  Our  single  Brigade  was  fighting  rebel 
General  Johnson's  whole  Division.  With  Heg  gone  from 
our  left,  and  with  no  support  on  our  right,  we  could  not 
maintain  our  position.  We  therefore  fell  back,  contesting 
the  ground  inch  by  inch. 

In  this  retreat,  however,  we  lost  many  men,  not  a  few  of 
them  by  capture.  The  assault  upon  the  right  of  our  line 
was  viciously  maintained.  A  number  of  our  men  were  cut 
off.  The  tenacity  with  which  our  troops  held  to  their  po- 
sition, and  their  unwillingness  to  retreat,  are  accountable 
for  most  of  the  captures.  The  Brigade  fell  back  in  fairly 
good  condition,  to  the  edge  of  the  woods  which  we  had 
entered  an  hour  before.  The  enemy  was  close  upon  us  on 
every  hand.  As  we  came  out  of  the  woods  we  were  delight- 
ed to  see  a  Brigade  of  blue  coats  rapidly  forming  just  to  the 
right  of  our  Division  Artillery  in  the  edge  of  the  woods.  It 
was  Barnes'  Brigade,  of  Van  Cleve's  Division,  which  had  just 
arrived  from  Gordon's  Mills.  This  gave  us  new  hope,  and 

11 


1 62  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

again  we  formed  our  lines  slightly  in  advance  of  our  first 
line,  across  the  same  open  field.  The  assaults  upon  our 
right  and  our  left  had  been  so  desperate,  and  so  overwhelm- 
ing in  numbers,  that  our  flanks  were  of  necessity  thrown 
back.  Had  it  not  been  for  the  support  of  Barnes  on  our 
right  and  Wood  on  our  left  and  rear,  Carlin's  Brigade  would 
doubtless  have  been  captured.  As  it  was,  we  were  soon 
ready  to  give  battle  again.  Our  ranks  had  been  greatly 
thinned — many  of  the  boys  were  out  of  line — killed,  wound- 
ed, or  captured.  On  the  left,  and  considerably  back  of  us, 
the  battle  raged  in  great  fury.  It  was  Wood  assailing  the 
victorious  followers  of  Heg's  retreating  men,  consisting  of  a 
portion  of  Fulton's  command  and  of  L,aw's  Division.  The 
moment  was  a  critical  one,  and  but  for  the  aid  of  the  artil- 
lery belonging  to  Van  Cleve's  and  Reynold's  Divisions, 
which  could  not  be  used  in  the  woods  in  which  those  Div- 
isions fought,  the  Confederates  must  have  gained  possession 
of  the  road.  As  it  was,  they  were  held  in  check  for  a  time, 
and  severely  punished.  Our  lines,  shortened  by  the  conflict 
in  the  woods,  were  formed  from  near  the  center  of  the  open 
field  into  which  we  had  retreated,  extending  northerly  to- 
ward the  edge  of  the  woods  in  which  Heg  had  originally 
formed.  Our  left  was  of  necessity  thrown  back  on  account 
of  the  presence  of  the  enemy  in  that  quarter.  Barnes' 
Brigade  was  formed  to  the  right  and  slightly  in  advance  of 
our  Division  Artillery,  wrhich  occupied  the  elevated  position 
in  front  of  the  Vineyard  house.  Owing  to  the  density  of 
the  woods,  it  was  not  possible  to  use  our  artillery  in  the  con- 
flict, out  of  which  the  Brigade  had  just  emerged.  Scarcely 
had  our  lines  been  formed,  when  with  a  wild  rush,  the  Con- 
federates came  out  of  the  woods  to  assail  us,  as  they  sup- 
posed, on  flank  and  front.  They  were  not  aware  of  the 
presence  of  Barnes,  and  for  a  moment  they  were  staggered. 
They  fell  upon  our  front  and  left  most  furiously,  but  with 


LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  JOHN   MESSER. 


From    Photograph. 


164  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

the  assistance  of  our  Division  Artillery  and  one  of  Woods* 
batteries  near  Buell's  position,  we  not  only  held  our  ground, 
but  charging  their  lines  we  drove  them  back  into  the  woods, 
capturing  General  Gregg,  who  had  been  wounded  in  the 
charge. 

Rallying  and  extending  their  lines  further  to  the  left, 
they  succeeded  in  doubling  us  back  to  such  an  extent  that  it 
became  necessary  to  retreat  or  fall  into  their  hands.  The 
latter  was  not  to  be  thought  of.  Sullenly,  therefore,  we  fell 
back.  But  soon  seeing  that  we  were  badly  flanked  on  our 
left,  and  further  that  our  artillery  could  not  play  while  we 
were  in  front,  we  hastened,  nor  waited  the  "order  of  our 
going."  Falling  back  to  the  edge  of  the  woods,  about  six 
hundred  feet  from  the  main  road,  we  reformed  our  lines  in 
good  order  and  awaited  the  next  move.  There  was  not 
the  slightest  hint  of  a  panic  in  our  midst.  A  company  of 
Wilder 's  seven -shooters  was  sent  to  our  assistance,  but 
was  soon  recalled,  their  services  being  needed  further  to 
the  left  of  our  line.  During  all  this  time  there  had  been 
considerable  fighting  on  our  left,  especially  near  the  extreme 
left.  Bragg  made  a  third  attempt  to  turn  Thomas.  No 
sooner  had  this  assault  been  repulsed  than  did  Thomas  send 
Brannan's  Division  down  toward  the  Vineyard  Farm  to  aid 
in  repelling  the  continued  assaults  that  were  being  made  in 
that  part  of  the  field. 

Our  rest  in  the  edge  of  the  woods  to  the  west  of  the 
Vineyard  house  was  destined  to  be  of  short  duration.  The 
Confederates  had  not  ventured  over  the  brow  of  the  ridge,  or 
rather  swell,  to  the  east  of  the  road,  but  lying  flat  on  their 
faces  they  hoped  to  be  able  to  command  and  possibly  occupy 
the  road.  Their  lines  were  hammered  most  unmercifully 
by  Wood's  artillery  and  by  other  batteries  that  had  been 
brought  into  position  for  the  purpose,  until,  seeing  that  they 
were  wavering,  a  charge  was  ordered.  Instantly  our  line 


BATTLK   OF   CHICKAMAUGA.  165 

was  in  motion,  Carlin  charging  directly  across  the  open 
field,  Buell  was  on  our  left  and  Barnes  on  our  right. 
Our  artillery  at  every  available  point  poured  shot  and  shell 
and  canister  into  their  ranks.  Their  line  gave  way  at 
every  point,  and  was  rushing  pell-mell  for  the  cover 
of  the  woods  at  the  eastern  edge  of  the  fields  in  which  we 
were  fighting,  when  to  our  horror  we  beheld  a  splendid  line 
of  fresh  Confederates  issuing  out  of  the  woods  facing 
our  left.  Maddened  rather  than  palsied  by  this  unex- 
pected sight,  our  lines  stood  like  stone  walls,  though  our 
men  were  falling  like  leaves  in  Autumn.  Barnes  was 
soon  put  in  a  most  critical  position,  and  Carlin  was 
forced  back  a  short  distance.  This  column  was  Triggs' 
Brigade,  which  had  been  sent  fresh  and  unbroken  to  the 
rebel  General  Johnson's  assistance.  Triggs  bore  off  to  our 
right  to  aid  Robertson,  and  in  doing  so  fell  in  the  wa}^  of 
our  batteries.  Half  his  command  fell  or  ran  in  a  few  min- 
utes, and  the  remainder  was  used  by  Robertson  for  a  short 
time.  Most  fortunately  had  General  Rosecrans  called  Gen- 
eral Sheridan  from  Gordon's  Mills.  He  came  with  rapid 
strides  up  the  main  road,  helped  Barnes  upon  his  feet  as  he 
passed,  fell  like  a  withering  curse  upon  Robertson,  recap- 
tured a  battery  that  Wood  had  just  lost,  and  took  the 
offensive  at  once.  With  Sheridan's  assistance  the  enemy 
was  soon  dislodged  from  the  road  at  every  point  near  us 
and  was  forced  back  into  the  woods,  though  in  most  places 
at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  It  was  now  5  o'clock.  The 
enemy,  defeated  at  every  point,  seemed  willing  to  remain 
quiet  in  the  recesses  ,of  the  glades  and  woods  into  which  our 
last  supreme  effort  had  hurled  them.  The  afternoon's  work 
had  been  such  that  we  surely  had  no  desire  to  follow  them 
into  their  fastnesses.  The  battle  ceased  suddenly  and  for 
the  day  soon  after  5  o'clock.  Our  line  was  quietly  with- 
drawn over  the  brow  of  the  hill,  where  we  lay  on  our  faces, 


l66  STORY  OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

not  knowing  what  the  enemy's  next  move  might  be.  But 
we  were  not  disturbed.  At  dusk  we  were  withdrawn  to  the 
edge  of  the  woods,  our  lines  carefully  adjusted,  our  cart- 
ridge-boxes replenished  and  everything  put  in  order  for  a 
surprise  at  any  moment. 

As  the  several  companies  fell  in  for  roll-call,  there  came 
over  the  boys  a  sadness  that  none  save  those  who  have  had 
the  actual  experience  can  understand.  There  were  many 
vacant  places.  Some  of  the  boys  were  dead,  some  were 
wounded  unto  death,  some  were  prisoners,  some  were 
missing,  many  were  in  hospitals,  maimed  and  mangled. 

Darkness  had  settled  over  the  field,  and  silence  deep  and 
pervading  had  succeeded  the  roar  and  din  of  battle.  Float- 
ing out  upon  the  solemn  stillness  would  now  and  then  come 
the  heart-burdened  cry  of  some  poor  fellow,  who,  falling  be- 
tween the  lines,  was  compelled  to  lie  there  unknown  and 
uncared  for  the  live-long  night.  Some  of  these  heart- 
broken wails  ring  in  my  ears  to  this  day. 

Tired  and  powder-begrimmed,  we  lay  in  line  of  battle 
that  night,  too  weary  even  to  dream.  Our  rest,  however, 
was  brief. 

It  was  Saturday  night,  and  the  day's  conflict,  though  inex- 
pressibly terrible,  had  not  determined  the  matter.  Another 
battle  must  be  fought,  the  preparations  for  which  were  imme- 
diately begun  on  both  sides.  The  change  of  front  forward 
toward  the  left  and  toward  Bragg's  right  had  resulted  in 
mixing  up  Divisions  and  Corps  to  a  wonderful  degree.  All 
this  was  more  or  less  demoralizing.  But  the  exigencies  of 
Saturday's  battle  made  it  necessary. 

The  solemn  stillness  of  the  night  succeeding  the  battle 
was  broken  here  and  there  by  the  stealthy  movement  of 
troops  on  both  sides  going  into  position  in  the  new  lines, 
preparatory  to  a  renewal  of  the  conflict  with  the  coming 
dawn.  Snarles  and  misplacements  of  troops  were  corrected ; 


CAPTAIN  GEORGE  W.  HALE, 

COMPANY   F. 

From  photograph  taken  in  1893. 


l68  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

rations  and  ammunition  were  distributed  ;  broken  and  disor- 
ganized detachments  were  combined,  and  everything  possi- 
ble was  done  to  insure  success  in  the  coming  battle. 

Sheridan,  who  occupied  the  extreme  right  of  our  line,  was 
ordered  by  General  McCook  to  go  into  position  near  the 
Widow  Glenn's  house.  To  do  this  in  safety  he  moved  his 
right  Brigade  back  and  along  the  rear  of  his  other  two 
Brigades,  which  remained  in  line  and  came  into  position  on 
their  left ;  then  taking  his  next  Brigade  he  moved  it  back 
and  to  the  left  in  the  same  manner,  always  keeping  two 
Brigades  in  line.  He  thus  reached  his  new  position  in 
.safety.  While  doing  this,  he  left  his  picket-skirmish  line 
undisturbed.  As  soon  as  Sheridan  had  moved,  General 
Barnes,  who  was  between  him  and  Davis,  moved  to  the  left 
and  came  under  Wood's  command.  This  left  our  Division 
on  the  extreme  Union  right.  Soon  after  midnight,  we  were 
quietly  aroused  from  our  slumbers  and  very  noiselessly 
moved  toward  our  left  and  rear.  We  had  not  the  remotest 
idea  as  to  where  we  were  going,  and  there  was  not  a  little 
growling  at  being  called  up  at  that  time  of  night.  Colonel 
Martin  was  in  command  of  Heg's  Brigade.  After  the  usual 
jerky  halts,  we  came  into  position,  called  the  roll,  and  lay 
down  to  finish  our  nap.  With  the  dawn,  a  half  hour  later, 
we  fell  in,  but  were  soon  permitted  to  stack  arms  and  lounge 
in  the  immediate  vicinity. 

Our  front  extended  along  the  crest  of  one  of  the  spurs  or 
foot-hills  of  Mission  Ridge.  Through  the  thin  woods  we 
could  look  out  over  the  plain  on  which  the  armies  had  so 
fiercely  contended  the  previous  day,  lying  there  in  all  the 
beauty  and  charm  of  a  perfect  September  morning. 

In  front  of  us,  at  a  distance  of  nearly  five  miles,  we 
could  distinctly  see  the  line  of  fog  or  mist  that  overhung  the 
Chickamauga,  extending  from  Gordon's  Mills,  four  miles 
south  of  us,  away  northward  toward  the  Tennessee.  The 


BATTLE   OF   CHICKAMAUGA.  169 

fog  was  neither  dense  enough  nor  near  enough  to  prevent 
the  opening  of  a  battle.  What  caused  the  delay  we  were 
not  able  to  make  out.  It  was  not  Rosecrans'  purpose  to 
make  the  attack.  He  was  on  the  defensive,  and  yet  it  must 
be  admitted  that  daylight  found  him  not  quite  ready  for  the 
fight.  The  four  hours'  delay  granted  by  the  Reverend 
General  Polk,  through  his  stupid  neglect,  was  industriously 
used  by  General  Rosecrans  in  rectifying  his  lines  and  cor- 
recting the  errors  made  during  the  darkness  of  the  night. 
Daylight  found  Thomas'  command  parted  as  follows :  On 
the  extreme  left,  Baird,  then  Johnson  of  McCook's  Corps, 
then  Palmer  of  Crittenden's  Corps,  Reynolds,  Brannan  and 
Van  Cleve.  On  Thomas'  right  under  Crittenden  were 
Negley  of  Thomas'  Corps,  and  Wood,  and  on  Crittenden's 
right  were  Davis  with  two  Brigades  and  Sheridan. 

At  daylight  it  was  observed  that  Thomas's  left  did  not 
cover  the  Reed's  Bridge  Road.  General  Negley  was  at  once 
ordered  from  his  position  under  Crittenden  to  fill  out  this 
part  of  the  line.  His  reserve  Brigade  was  sent  at  once,  and 
he  was  about  to  follow  with  the  remainder  when  a  noisy 
assault  was  made  on  our  skirmish  line,  causing  him,  on 
Rosecrans'  order,  to  delay.  By  this  time,  nearly  10  o'clock, 
the  assault  had  opened  furiously  on  the  left.  Negley  was 
hurried  off  on  double  quick.  Upon  the  withdrawal  of 
Negley,  Wood  was  moved  into  his  place.  This  drew  him 
away  from  Davis,  and  when  Davis  followed  him  a  few  min- 
utes later,  a  gap  was  made  between  our  right  and  Sheri- 
dan's left.  Our  two  Brigades  were  stretched  out  as  much  as 
possible  to  fill  this  gap,  but  Sheridan,  under  orders,  remained 
near  the  Glenn  House  with  Wilder 's  Cavalry. 

Bragg's  plan  of  assault  was  to  begin  on  his  right,  and 
then  follow  in  regular  succession  toward  his  left,  until  the 
whole  line  should  become  engaged.  The  assault  was  to  have 
been  made  at  daylight. 


iyo  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

General  Polk  was  in  command  of  Bragg's  Right,  and 
General  L,ongstreet  of  his  Left.  Polk  had  been  ordered  to 
open  the  battle  very  early  in  the  morning,  but  as  late  as  8 
o'clock  he  had  not  reached  the  field.  He  had  slept  on  the 
east  side  of  the  Chickamauga,  and,  it  seems,  took  a  nap  or 
two  too  many  on  Sunday  morning.  At  all  events,  Bragg, 
becoming  weary  and  irritated  with  waiting,  went  to  that 
part  of  the  field  in  person,  and,  not  finding  Polk  there, 
ordered  the  assault.  This  was  shortly  after  10  o'clock. 
Steadily  and  quite  rapidly  the  noise  of  the  conflict  came 
nearer  to  where  we  were.  There  was  difficulty  in  estab- 
lishing our  line — Davis  could  not  touch  Sheridan.  It  was 
at  this  time,  about  1 1  o'clock,  that  a  most  unfortunate  order 
was  given  to  General  Wood  by  General  Rosecrans.  A 
dispatch  from  Thomas  led  him  to  believe  that  a  serious  gap 
existed  between  Wood's  left  and  Reynold's  right.  This 
was  not  true,  however,  and  Wood  knew  it  at  the  time.  The 
order  was  positive,  directing  Wood  to  close  up  on  Brannan's 
right.  This  order  could  not  be  obeyed,  as  there  was  no 
gap.  Brannan  was  in  his  proper  place.  Wood  was  in  the 
dumps  about  something — mad  at  Crittenden  for  one  thing— 
and,  putting  the  order  in  his  pocket  for  future  use,  as  he 
said,  immediately  withdrew  his  Division  from  the  line,  and 
moved  to  the  support  of  Reynolds,  this  being  his  interpreta- 
tion of  the  order.  This  left  a  gap  on  the  left  of  our  Divi- 
sion. Until  reinforced  by  Negley  and  Van  Cleve,  Thomas 
had  hard  work  to  protect  his  left  flank.  But  with  these  re- 
inforcements and  his  splendidly  posted  lines  around  the 
crest  of  an  elevation,  which  runs  parallel  with  the  Chatta- 
nooga road,  he  was  able  to  hold  his  ground  against  all 
comers.  Rosecrans'  reserves,  under  Granger,  were  guard- 
ing the  gap  through  Mission  Ridge  at  Rossville.  Of  course, 
we,  who  were  in  the  ranks,  knew  nothing  of  Wood's  fool 
move,  nor  of  the  fact  that  Sheridan  was  not  up  to  us  on  our 


BENJ.  T.  STRONG, 

COMPANY   A. 

From   photograph  taken   in   1894. 


172  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

right.  We  were  looking  toward  the  front,  and  soon  found 
more  than  we  could  manage. 

Steadily  and  most  majestically  the  tread  of  battle  came 
our  way.  It  found  us  in  position,  back  of  some  slight 
barricades  fixed  up  by  Negley's  men  early  in  the  morning. 

We  had  been  in  line  waiting  for  them  some  minutes, 
many  of  the  boys  using  the  time  in  strengthening  the  slight 
protection  in  front  of  them.  As  the  minie  balls  of  the 
sharpshooters  began  to  drop  in  upon  us,  each  snugged  him- 
self close  up  to  his  rail,  or  chunk,  or  stone,  or  log,  or  tree, 
determined  to  drop  the  first  butternut  that  dared  to  show 
himself.  All  thought  of  joking  and  frivolity  now  ceased, 
and  every  man,  knitting  his  brows,  gave  all  of  himself  to 
the  work  in  hand.  We  were  soon  in  the  midst  of  that  period 
of  murder  which  precedes  almost  every  battle — the  contest 
between  the  skirmishers — in  which  deliberate  and  deadly 
aim  is  taken  upon  particular  individuals.  Many  a  rebel  bit 
the  dust  in  consequence  of  coming  within  the  range  of  our 
guns,  rested  on  our  rude  breastworks.  Our  firing  at  this 
stage  of  the  battle  was  not  rapid,  but  it  was  exceedingly 
effective.  Their  skirmish  line,  deployed  at  a  distance  of 
about  one  pace,  as  I  remember  it,  made  a  rush,  to  deter- 
mine whether  we  were  there  in  force,  and  received  in  their 
faces  such  a  volley  as  sent  them  in  great  confusion  to  the 
rear.  They  left  many  dead  and  wounded  in  the  open  space 
over  which  they  had  foolishly  charged.  Their  main  line, 
however,  was  just  back  of  them,  and  we  were  given  only  a 
few  moments'  breathing  spell. 

It  seems  strange,  nevertheless  it  is  a  fact,  that  General 
Longstreet,  becoming  tired  of  Folk's  long  delay  in  opening 
the  battle  on  our  left,  determined  to  send  forward  as  a 
single  assaulting  line  his  whole  force.  To  avoid  pitfalls  and 
surprises,  he  ordered  a  very  strong  skirmish  line.  It  was 
this  skirmish  line  that  struck  us  and  was  repulsed,  as  stated 


BATTLE    OF    CHICKAMAUGA.  173 

above.  On  Davis's  right  and  left,  however,  this  line  met 
with  no  obstructions.  The  fatal  breaks  in  the  Union  line  of 
battle  were  thus  discovered,  and  instant  arrangements  made 
by  the  Confederates  to  force  their  way  through.  In  the 
meantime,  the  rebel  line  in  our  immediate  front  rushed 
upon  us.  In  an  instant  the  battle  was  on  in  all  its  fury. 
We  had  the  advantage  of  an  open  field  in  our  front.  The 
rebels  hesitated  to  attempt  to  cross  it,  and  for  a  short  time 
we  fought  at  decent  range.  But  the  Confederates  were  des- 
perate, and  attempted  to  cross.  A  moment  before  doing  so, 
they  had  halted  to  adjust  their  lines.  We  reserved  our  fire 
and  waited  for  them,  snugging  ourselves  into  the  smallest 
possible  space.  With  a  yell,  and  firing  as  they  ran,  the}7 
debouched  into  the  field.  With  deliberate  and  deadly  aim 
we  emptied  our  guns  into  their  ranks  not  two  hundred  feet 
away.  They  staggered,  halted,  hesitated,  and  before  they 
were  aware  of  it  received  another  volley,  which  sent  them 
flying  to  the  cover  of  the  woods.  Many  of  our  boys  had 
been  wounded,  and  some  killed,  but  the  Confederate  loss  in 
our  immediate  front  must  have  been,  at  this  time,  ten  to  our 
one.  If  our  lines  had  been  continuous,  the  history  of  the 
next  two  hours  would  have  been  different.  We  should  have 
held  our  ground. 

Massing  their  forces,  the  enemy  passed  through  these 
fatal  gaps  in  our  lines  and  assailed  us  on  both  flanks,  while, 
at  the  same  instant,  with  double  line,  they  assaulted  us  again 
in  front.  No  pen  of  mine  can  describe  the  scene  at  this 
state  of  the  battle.  On  our  left,  in  Thomas'  front,  the  con- 
flict was  at  its  height.  Great  numbers  of  cannon  were  in 
full  roar  on  either  side.  In  our  own  front  and  on  both 
flanks  the  contest  raged  most  furiously,  but  was  confined  to 
infantry  on  account  of  the  woods.  What  with  the  deafen- 
ing roar  of  the  musketry,  the  yells  of  charging  columns,  and 
the  pounding  of  Thomas'  artillery,  it  was  a  scene  that  can 


174  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

neither  be  described  nor  forgotten.  When  the  Confederate 
ranks,  with  wild  yells,  rushed  across  the  open  field  in  our 
front,  we  gave  them  the  contents  of  our  guns,  and  many 
scores  went  down,  but  other  scores  took  their  places,  and  the 
line  rushed  on.  Springing  from  our  slight  protection,  we 
determined  to  meet  them  cold  steel  to  cold  steel,  and  for  a 
short  time  the  combat  was  furious.  The  flank  movement  of 
the  enemy  had,  however,  settled  the  question.  We  were 
rapidly  being  surrounded.  The  order  to  fall  back  was  given. 

Under  the  circumstances,  it  was  impossible  to  preserve 
company  or  even  regimental  lines.  Emerging  from  the 
woods  into  the  open  fields,  we  discovered  long  lines  of  Con- 
federate troops  hurrying  toward  our  rear,  and  others  ad- 
vancing directly  upon  us.  At  the  same  time  we  saw  a 
Union  column  advancing  on  the  double  quick.  They  halted, 
formed,  charged,  were  dashed  into  pieces,  and  hurled  back 
in  confusion.  It  was  a  portion  of  Wilder's  command. 
Sheridan  made  a  determined  stand,  but  was  completely  over- 
powered and  forced  to  fall  back.  General  Carlin  attempted 
to  re-form  our  lines  near  the  Dry  Valley  road,  but  found  it 
impossible.  The  loist  was  well  represented  in  this  new 
line.  The  defeat  of  Sheridan  and  our  whole  Right  wing, 
and  the  rolling  back  of  the  Center,  under  Crittenden,  made 
this  position  utterly  untenable.  Our  retreat  was  continued 
in  great  confusion,  though  we  were  not  again  disturbed  by 
the  enemy.  Our  position,  near  the  Dry  Valley  road,  was 
abandoned  on  the  approach  of  the  enemy  in  force. 

How  we  reached  Rossville  that  evening  is  a  difficult 
question  to  answer — indeed,  we  did  not  all  reach  it.  A 
remnant  of  the  Regiment  kept  with  the  colors  all  the  time. 
When  we  went  into  camp  that  night  we  stacked  fifty-nine 
guns,  but  this  number  was  considerably  increased  before 
morning.  The  fugitives  divided  near  where  we  had  made 
our  last  stand,  many  passing  through  Mission  Ridge  by  way 


BATTLE   OF    CHICKAMAUGA.  175 

of  McFarlancl's  Gap,  and  many — probably  most — moved 
through  the  fields  and  woods  along  the  base  of  the  Ridge  to 
the  Gap  at  Rossville,  five  or  six  miles  away,  toward  Chat- 
tanooga. Those  of  us  who  were  last  found  well  beaten 
paths  leading  across  the  fields,  through  the  woods,  over  hills 
and  along  valleys,  all  leading  in  the  right  direction.  During 
all  this  dreadful  march  to  the  rear  we  could  hear  the  incess- 
ant pounding  of  artillery  off  in  the  direction  of  Thomas' 
position.  The  sensations  we  experienced  were  novel  and 
by  no  means  pleasant.  A  sense  of  duty  called  us  back  in 
the  direction  of  the  cannonading,  but  we  wrere  disorganized  ; 
without  leaders,  concert  of  action  was  impossible,  and  we 
continued  to  drift  rearward. 

It  was  upon  the  defeat  of  our  Division  and  the  rolling  up 
of  Sheridan,  which  carried  with  it  our  entire  Right,  and  the 
doubling  back  of  the  Center,  that  General  Rosecrans  left  the 
front,  proceeding  to  Chattanooga  to  select  a  proper  position 
to  which  he  might  conduct  his  army.  But  Thomas  remained 
and  saved  the  day.  It  would  be  interesting  to  follow  the 
great  battle  on  this  part  of  the  line,  but  we  had  no  hand  in 
it  that  day.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  the  stubbornness  of 
Thomas  made  it  possible  for  us  to  reach  Rossville  that  night 
—to  reorganize,  and  finally  to  march  in  good  condition  to 
Chattanooga.  So  far  as  Davis'  Division  was  concerned, 
the  crushing  of  our  Right,  as  faintly  outlined  above,  ended 
our  connection  with  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga. 

Reaching  Rossville  in  datachments,  squads  and  singly, 
we  were  assigned  a  position  in  a  new  line,  which  we  at  once 
set  about  strengthening.  What  front  we  might  be  able  to 
present  was  very  uncertain.  Indeed,  so  few  were  present 
that  but  little  preparation  was  even  attempted  until  the  next 
morning,  the  2ist,  by  which  time  quite  a  large  number  of 
stragglers  had  put  in  an  appearance.  At  dusk  Sunday  even- 
ing less  than  seventy-five  of  the  loist  men  were  present. 


176  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

Many  had  been  wounded,  many  captured ;  a  large  number 
had  become  entangled  with  other  commands,  and  were  not 
able,  at  once,  to  find  our  position.  Some  who  passed 
through  McFarland's  Gap  bore  too  far  to  the  west,  and,  for 
a  time,  lost  their  way.  With  daylight  next  morning  many 
returned  to  the  Regiment. 

Our  losses  in  the  terrible  conflict  through  which  we  had 
come,  were  heavy.  The  several  contests  on  the  Vineyard 
farm  told  on  us  terribly,  and  again  on  Sunday,  when  we 
were  almost  surrounded  in  the  woods,  we  lost  heavily, 
especially  in  captured  and  wounded.  In  all  these  struggles 
the  boys  showed  true  and  lasting  courage  and  did  their  full 
duty  to  the  last  moment. 

The  state  of  affairs  at  Rossville  that  Sunday  evening  was 
by  no  means  re-assuring.  With  wonderful  rapidity  affairs 
assumed  a  presentable  shape,  and  we  were  ready  early  on 
Monday  morning  to  do  some  service.  Our  lines,  however, 
were  very  thin.  By  noon  Monday  all  were  in  their  places 
that  would  be  there  for  some  time.  The  Union  soldiers 
captured  at  Chickamauga  had  hard  lots  in  rebel  prisons. 
They  were  subjected  to  the  most  inhuman  treatment  from 
beginning  to  end.  One's  blood  boils  to  think  of  it,  even 
after  the  lapse  of  thirty  years. 

During  Sunday  night  and  early  Monday  morning,  Gen- 
eral Thomas  withdrew  his  army  from  the  second  battlefield 
of  Chickamauga  and  took  position  at  Rossville.  There 
were  a  number  of  false  alarms  during  Monday,  each  of 
which  showed  that  we  were  still  somewhat  nervous.  About 
9  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  enemy  appeared  in  force  in 
Thomas'  front,  on  the  Ringold  Road,  but  they  made  no 
serious  attack.  Their  cavalry,  and  several  detachments  of 
infantry,  showed  themselves  in  Chattanooga  Valley  in  our 
own  front,  but  they  were  satisfied  to  look  at  us  at  long 
range,  and  we  were  entirely  satisfied  to  have  them  do  so. 


AT   ROSSVILLE.  177 

Our  commanders  had  no  thought  of  holding  Rossville 
for  a  longer  time  than  was  necessary  to  arrange  matters  at 
Chattanooga.  "  This  was  all  accomplished  on  Monday,  the 
2ist,  and  at  9  o'clock  that  evening  the  army  began  its  march 
to  that  city.  To  cover  this  movement,  General  Bran  nan's 
Division  was  posted,  early  in  the  evening,  about  half-way 
between  Rossville  and  Chattanooga.  General  Baird  was  to 
remain  at  Rossville  until  the  other  troops  had  all  been 
moved.  Very  strong  picket  lines  had  been  established,  and 
these,  with  the  cavalry,  were  to  remain  until  morning.  It 
came  our  time  to  fall  in  and  take  up  the  march  soon  after 
10  o'clock.  Our  fires  were  left  burning,  and  every  indica- 
tion possible  was  left  to  convince  the  enemy  that  we  were 
still  there.  Soon  after  daylight  we  reached  the  suburbs  of 
Chattanooga,  and  when  we  learned  that  we  were  not  to  cross 
the  Tennessee,  a  wild  shout  went  up  and  we  took  cheerfully 
to  the  work  of  building  breastworks  and  fortifications. 
This  was  commenced  immediately — we  had  scarcely  time  to 
prepare  breakfast.  The  morning  was  delightfully  pleasant, 
a  light  haze  hung  like  a  crown  over  Lookout,  and  every 
thing,  notwithstanding  our  recent  disasters,  put  on  a  cheer- 
ful and  encouraging  aspect.  This  cheerful  and  good-natured 
outside  did  not  prevent  terrible  havoc  before  night,  among 
the  houses  and  barns,  in  our  vicinity,  whether  constructed 
of  wood,  stone,  or  brick.  Everything  available  was  used  in 
the  construction  of  our  earthworks.  Not  only  so,  but  every 
building  in  our  front  that  stood  in  the  way  of  a  clear  field, 
was  devoted  to  the  torch,  unless  it  could  be  used  as  stated 
above.  Toward  sundown  great  columns  of  black  smoke 
floated  lazily  heavenward,  and  hung  like  a  menacing  cloud, 
an  unmistakable  evidence  of  ruin  and  devastation.  The 
sight  of  their  burning  houses  must  have  been  gall  and 
wormwood  to  the  Confederates,  who  were  already  going  into 
position  on  Mission  Ridge  and  Lookout  Mountain. 

12 


178  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

Willing  hands  and  strong  arms  had  accomplished  much 
during  the  day.  Though  as  yet  incomplete,  our  line  of 
earthworks  was  strong  and  durable,  and  we  felt  ready  for  the 
foe  whenever  an  assault  might  be  attempted. 

But  Bragg  was  in  no  hurry  to  attack.  Though  he  had 
driven  Rosecrans  from  the  field  of  Chickamauga,  the  Union 
army  still  held  the  grand  prize — the  possession  of  Chatta- 
nooga, the  key  to  Hast  Tennessee  and  North  Georgia. 

Sad,  sad  were  our  hearts  when  we  remembered  that 
many  of  our  boys  were  left  dead  and  dying  on  the  battle- 
field ;  that  many  others  were  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy, 
destined  to  the  horrors  of  the  infamous  rebel  prison,  and 
that  many  others  were  torn  and  mangled,  maimed,  per- 
chance, for  life. 

The  following  list  includes  the  names  of  those  who  were 
killed  or  mortally  wounded  : — 

Comrade  Captain  William  H.  Kilmer,  Commanding  Company  F. 
Comrade  Lieutenant  Charles  McGraw,  Commanding  Company  B. 
Comrade  Lieutenant  Isaac  P.  Rule,  Commanding  Company  I.  Died 

September  20,  of  wounds  received  September  19. 
Comrade  Abram  Inman,  Company  A.     Died   a  prisoner,  on  field   of 

battle,  of  wounds  received  Sept.  20. 

Comrade  George  Lameraux,  Company  A.     Killed  in  battle,  Sept.  19. 
Comrade  William  L.  McPherson,  Company  A.     Died  October  13,  of 

wounds  received  September  19. 
Comrade   Samuel  Wilson,  Company  A.     Died  in  the  hands  of  the 

enemy,  of  wounds  received  September  19,  at  Chicamauga. 
Comrade  Milton  C.  Dodge,  Company  B.  Killed  in  battle,  Sept.  20. 
Comrade  Michael  Dise,  Company  C.  Killed  in  battle,  September  19. 
Comrade  Peter  Eicher,  Company  C.  Killed  in  battle,  September  19. 
Comrade  Joseph  Hund,  Company  C.  Killed  in  battle,  September  19. 
Comrade  Felix  Kimmick,  Company  C.  Died  September  23,  of  wounds 

received  September  19. 
Comrade  Henry  W.  Miller,  Company  C.     Mortally  wounded,  Sept.  19. 

Died  in  hands  of  the  enemy. 


OUR   KILLED   AND    MORTALITY   WOUNDED.  179 

Comrade  Tilley  E.  Quaintance,  Company  C.  Killed  in  battle,  Sep- 
tember 19. 

Comrade  John  D.  Blair,  Company  D.     Killed  in  battle,  September  19. 

Comrade  Flavel  B.  Jones,  Company  D.     Killed  in  battle,  Sept.  20. 

Comrade  David  Hilficker,  Company  B.     Killed  in  battle,  Sept.  20. 

Comrade  Sovereign  Brown,  Company  F.     Killed  in  battle,  Sept.  19. 

Comrade  Christian  *H.  Gleser,  Company  F.  Killed  in  battle,  Sep- 
tember 19. 

Comrade  George  Lawrence,  Company  F.     Killed  in  battle,  Sept.  19. 

Comrade  Isaac  C.  Cassen,  Company  G.     Killed  in  battle,  Sept.  20. 

Comrade  James  M.  Garmon,  Company  G.     Killed  in  battle,  Sept.  19. 

Comrade  Frederick  Dibble,  Company  H.  Died  in  Andersonville 
prison,  November  9,  1864,  of  wounds  received  at  Chickamauga. 

Comrade  Joseph  Keller,  Company  H.  Died  in  Camp  Dennison,  of 
wounds  received  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga. 

Comrade  Aden  W.  Miller,  Company  I.     Killed  in  battle,  Sept.  19. 

Comrade  William  Moore,  Company  I.     Killed  in  battle,  Sept.  20. 

Comrade  Daniel  Wagamau,  Company  I.     Killed  in  battle,  Sept.  20. 

Comrade  William  F.  Bacher,  Company  K.     Killed  in  battle,  Sept.  19. 

Comrade  Louis  Columbus,  Company  K.     Killed  in  battle,  Sept.  19. 

Comrade  Luke  A.  Long,  Company  K.  Died  September  22,  of  wounds 
received  September  19. 

Comrade  Jeremiah  Nichols,  Company  K.  Died  December  25,  1863, 
at  Chattanooga,  of  wounds  received  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga. 

The  merits  of  our  fallen  comrades  were  freely  discussed, 
and  many  a  letter  sent  to  the  mourning  ones  at  home. 

The  Regiment  was  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant 
Colonel  John  Messer*  until  he  was  wounded  about  4  o'clock 
on  the  afternoon  of  the  ipth.  His  wounds  were  serious, 
compelling  him  to  go  to  the  rear.  The  command  then  fell 
upon  Major  Bedan  B.  McDonald  until  he  was  captured,  while 
gallantly  leading  the  Regiment.  Adjutant  I^en  D.  Smith 
being  next  in  rank,  assumed  command  during  the  remain- 

*Colonel  Kirby  was  absent  on  leave,  but  hurried  forward  on  hearing  that  the 
army  had  moved.  He  rejoined  the  Regiment  at  Rossville,  September  21. 


l8o  STORY    OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

der  of  the  battle  and  the  retreat  to  Rossville  and  Chatta- 
nooga. 

The  Old  Flag  seemed  to  be  the  center  upon  which  the 
rebels  converged  their  fire.  At  one  time,  not  only  the  color- 
bearer,  but  every  color-guard,  was  dead  or  wounded.  See- 
ing the  colors  in  the  hands  of  a  badly- wounded  man,  Col- 
onel Messer  seized  them,  but  was  remonstrated  with  by 
Lieutenant  Bryant  and  others.  In  that  moment's  hurried 
conversation,  Messer  was  twice  wounded — once  in  the  arm 
and  once  in  the  side.  Comrade  Abel  Knapp,  of  Company  A, 
bravely  took  the  colors  and  valiantly  carried  them  through 
the  remainder  of  the  battle.  On  Sunday  morning,  Comrade 
Christian  M.  Funk  was  detailed  as  color-guard. 

In  shutting  himself  up  in  Chattanooga,  as  General  Rose- 
crans  had  done,  he  surrendered  not  only  Missionary  Ridge, 
but  Lookout  Mountain  also,  the  latter  carrying  with  it  the 
control  of  the  railroad  and  wagon  roads  back  to  Bridgeport 
and  Stevenson.  The  only  wagon  routes  between  Chatta- 
nooga and  Stevenson  ran  close  along  the  bank  of  the  river 
on  the  north  side,  but  as  the  Confederates  held  the  south 
bank,  these  roads  were  not  at  our  command.  The  result 
was  that  all  our  supplies  of  every  kind  had  to  be  hauled  by 
a  very  circuitous  route  extending  from  Stevenson  across  and 
up  Sequatchie  valley,  over  Waldron's  Ridge  and  down  the 
valley  on  the  east  side  of  this  Ridge — a  distance  of  over 
seventy  miles.  The  route  was  bad  at  the  best,  and  when 
the  Fall  rains  set  in  they  soon  became  almost  impassable. 
We  were  almost  out  of  rations  when  we  reached  Chatta- 
nooga, for,  during  the  battle,  it  was  not  possible  for  our 
supplies  to  reach  us.  It  was  as  much  as  ever  that  our 
ammunition  train  could  be  kept  within  reach.  We  were 
soon  put  on  half  rations,  and  the  ration  itself  reduced  in 
variety.  Later  even  this  was  reduced.  In  some  instances 
actual  suffering  followed.  Corn  intended  for  the  animals 


JOHN   DOUGHERTY, 

COMPANY   I. 

From  photograph  taken  in  1892. 


182  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

of  the  command  was  stolen  in  more  instances  than  one,  and 
greedily  devoured  by  the  boys.  The  arrival  of  the  "  Cracker 
Train  "  from  Stevenson  was  always  hailed  with  delight,  but 
had  to  be  guarded.  The  roughness  and  muddiness  of  the 
road  soon  made  it  impossible  for  the  trains  to  deliver  even  a 
half  load  at  a  time.  The  route  over  the  mountains,  and 
even  in  the  valleys,  soon  became  lined  with  dead  animals. 
and  many  a  train  had  to  be  abandoned  on  account  of  in- 
sufficient means  to  move  it.  As  the  cracker  boxes  were 
unloaded  more  or  less  crumbs  would  sift  out  and  fall  into 
the  mud.  These  the  hungry  boys  would  pick  up  greedily, 
even  with  strife  sometimes,  and  washing  them  in  the  ri\  er, 
would  devour  them  with  great  relish.  Rebel  cavalry  made 
several  dashes  upon  our  trains  and  succeeded  in  doing  much 
damage.  Attempts  were  made  upon  our  railroad  communi- 
cations beyond  Stevenson,  but  no  great  success  attended 
these  raids.  Our  communication  with  the  north  or  right 
bank  of  the  river  at  Chattanooga  was  effected  by  means  of  a 
pontoon  bridge.  This  bridge  the  Confederates  tried  hard 
to  destroy  by  sending  down  stream,  from  various  points 
above  the  city,  huge  rafts  of  logs.  In  one  way  and  another 
this  calamity  was  averted.  Our  Field  Hospital  was  located 
across  the  river,  and  was  under  the  efficient  care  of  our 
Surgeon,  Dr.  Thomas  M.  Cook,  and  his  corps  of  assistants. 
It  should  be  remembered  that  the  Confederates  held  the 
entire  space  in  our  front,  extending  from  the  river  at  the 
base  of  Lookout  on  our  right  around  by  way  of  Missionary 
Ridge  to  the  river  on  our  left,  not  far  from  the  mouth  of  the 
Chickamauga.  All  this,  with  the  river  and  mountains  back 
of  us,  put  us  practically  in  a  state  of  siege.  We  were 
hemmed  in  completely,  and  were  rapidly 'approaching  the 
starving  point. 

Immediately  upon  the  retirement  of  our  army  to  Chatta- 
nooga, the  authorities  at  Washington  began  to  bestir  them- 


IN    CHATTANOOGA — ON   THE   DEFENSIVE.  183 

selves  to  provide  the  necessary  assistance  to  preserve  and 
extricate  Rosecrans  from  his  perilous  position.  Rosecrans 
had  called  long  and  loud  for  assistance  and  reinforcements 
before  leaving  Winchester,  but  they  were  not  forthcoming. 
Instead  of  sending  a  portion  of  Grant's  army,  all  of  which 
had  been  relieved  of  active  duty  by  the  annihilation  of  Pem- 
berton's  army  and  the  dispersing  of  Johnson's,  it  had  been 
scattered  by  sending'  a  corps  here  and  another  there,  but  not 
a  man  to  Rosecrans.  Of  all  the  useless  military  men  on  this 
earth,  Halleck  was  the  chief.  When  too  late  he  sent  two 
dispatches  to  Grant  to  send  forward  certain  forces.  But 
these  dispatches  did  not  reach  Grant  until  after  the  Battle 
of  Chickamauga.  The  instant  they  were  received  they  were 
acted  upon,  and  the  forces  reached  Chattanooga  in  time  for 
the  Battle  of  Missionary  Ridge,  before  which  time  Grant 
had  succeeded  to  the  chief  command. 

Troops  were  also  hurried  from  the  east  by  way  of  Cincin- 
nati to  Bridgeport,  for  the  relief  of  the  beleaguered  army, 
but  all  this  was  after  the  disaster,  if  it  were  a  disaster,  at 
Chickamauga.  These  reinforcements  from  the  east  were 
under  the  command  of  "  Fighting  Joe  Hooker,"  and  did  ex- 
cellent work  in  breaking  the  Confederate  line  on  our  ex- 
treme Right  and  thus  opening  up  the  cracker  line.  Ar- 
rangements for  this  movement  were  in  preparation  when 
General  Rosecrans  was  relieved  of  his  command.  The 
Army  of  the  Cumberland  under  Thomas,  the  Army  of  the 
Ohio  under  Burnside  at  Knoxville,  and  the  Army  of  the 
Tennessee,  Grant's  old  army  at  Vicksburg,  were  consoli- 
dated, and  the  latter  General  placed  in  supreme  command. 
The  change  was  made  on  the  igth  of  October, 

In  the  meantime  many  minor  changes  had  taken  place. 
The  army  had  been  reorganized.  The  four  Corps — 
Granger's,  McCook's,  Crittenden's  and  Thomas' — had  been 
reduced  to  two,  the  Fourteenth  and  Fourth.  Generals  Me- 


184  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

Cook,  Crittenden  and  Negley  had  been  relieved  and  were 
awaiting  investigation  of  their  actions  at  Chickamauga ;  Van 
Cleve  had  been  assigned  to  the  command  of  Murfreesboro'  ; 
Johnson  and  Steedman  had  been  assigned  to  other  com- 
mands ;  General  Brannan  had  been  placed  in  command  of 
the  artillery,  and  General  Reynolds  went  upon  General 
Thomas'  Staff  as  Chief.  Very  many  other  minor  changes 
were  made.  General  Carlin  was  promoted  and  given  the 
command  of  the  First  Division  of  the  Fourteenth  Corps,  but 
took  with  him  none  of  his  old  regiments.  General  Davis 
was  placed  in  command  of  the  Second  Division  of  the  same 
corps,  but  had  none  of  his  former  Brigades. 

The  loist  was  assigned  to  General  Craft's  Brigade  of 
Palmer's  Division  of  the  Fourteenth  Corps.  Our  Brigade 
consisted  of  the  loist  Ohio,  2ist  Illinois,  38th  Illinois,  8ist 
Indiana,  2Qth  Indiana,  3ist  Indiana,  ist  Kentucky,  2nd 
Kentucky,  and  Qoth  Ohio.  This  was  the  organization  as 
announced  October  20,  '63. 

Picket  firing,  important  skirmishes  and  artillery  duels 
were  sufficiently  frequent  to  keep  us  alive  and  watchful. 
We  were  frequently  aroused  at  night  by  a  rattling  fire  on 
the  picket  line. 

The  difficulty  was,  that  we  were  liable  to  an  assault  at 
any  time,  and  no  one  could  tell  what  was  coming  when 
these  "feelers"  were  thrown  out,  especially  when  they  came 
just  before  daylight  There  was  much  artillery  firing  on 
both  sides.  If  our  fire  did  no  more  harm  than  theirs,  but 
few  were  badly  hurt.  Out  of  230  shots  fired  by  the  Confed- 
erates one  afternoon,  from  the  point  of  Lookout,  into  our 
camp,  or  as  near  to  it  as  they  could  strike,  only  two  casu- 
alties occurred — one  man  wounded  in  the  foot  and  the  fifth 
wheel  was  knocked  off  one  of  the  battery  carriages,  and  yet 
some  of  their  shells  and  solid  shot  fell  well  down  toward  the 
city.  Very  many  of  their  shells  exploded  before  reaching 


WM.   P.   MYERS, 

COMPANY   H. 

From   photograph  taken  in   1894. 


186  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

our  lines.  Our  batteries  returned  the  fire,  doubtless  with 
equal  effect.  One  morning-,  just  after  daylight,  their  batteries 
facing  our  left,  set  up  a  great  noise  and  sent  much  iron  our 
way,  but  most  of  it  fell  short.  Our  batteries,  as  usual,  re- 
sponded leisurely.  Nothing  came  of  the  affair.  On  one 
occasion  there  had  been  great  activity  along  the  rebel  front, 
and  it  looked  very  much  as  though  an  assault  was  to  be 
made  at  once.  Their  long  lines  were  clearly  visible.  Prep- 
arations were  at  6nce  made  to  receive  them.  Shells  were 
planted  so  close  to  their  lines  that  the  puff  of  smoke  ac- 
companying the  explosion  often  revealed  the  heels  of  a 
number  of  fleeing  Johnnies.  For  some  reason  they  never 
made  an  earnest  assault. 

One  noisy  afternoon,  when  everybody  was  under  arms, 
and  when  we  really  expected  an  assault,  General  Carlin  was 
sitting  on  his  horse  just  in  front  of  our  line,  when  a  solid 
shot,  or  a  shell  that  failed  to  explode,  came  from  Lookout, 
bounding  along  the  ground,  striking  just  under  the  horse 
and  covering  everything  with  dirt  and  dust.  The  shell 
found  the  General  the  very  picture  of  soldierly  manliness ; 
it  left  him  hatless,  speechless,  blind,  and  sputtering.  His 
horse  was  wild,  but  the  General  managed  him.  When  we 
saw  that  he  was  not  injured,  we  sent  up  a  shout  that  was, 
as  usual,  carried  along  most  of  our  line.  It  was  an  amus- 
ing affair. 

The  scenes  in  our  hospitals  were  too  terrible  to  bear  de- 
scription— they  were  Perryville  repeated  and  exaggerated. 
There,  the  poor  fellows  received  attention  at  once.  Here, 
they  lay  on  the  ground  for  some  time,  many  of  them,  be- 
fore they  could  be  cared  for,  and  then,  if  able,  they  were 
conveyed  in  wagons  and  ambulances  to  Chattanooga,  a  dis- 
tance of  ten  or  twelve  miles.  Bones  broken  and  partially 
knitted,  had  to  be  re-set  ;  wounds  that  had  never  been  even 
washed,  had  to  be  torn  open  afresh  ;  limbs  that  might  have 


AT  SHKUJMOUND   AND    BRIDGEPORT.  187 

been  saved  if  taken  in  time,  had  to  be  amputated ;  strong 
bodies  had  been  rendered  weak  by  the  loss  of  unstaunched 
blood.  I  remember  one  poor  fellow  who  called,  in  his  de- 
lirium, for  his  wife  and  children,  appealing  to  them  by  name 
and  crying  with  pain  in  his  feet.  Poor  fellow !  both  legs 
had  been  amputated  at  the  thigh  two  days  before.  His 
cries  gradually  became  weaker,  his  pains  less  acute — he  died 
before  morning.  I  cannot  allow  myself  to  think  of  these 
sights  and  scenes,  even  now,  almost  a  third  of  a  century 
later. 

General  Grant  arrived  at  Chattanooga  on  the  evening 
of  the  23d  of  October.  Within  a  few  hours  after  his  ar- 
rival, the  plans  originated  by  General  Rosecrans  and  his 
Chief  of  Engineers,  General  W.  F.  Smith,  for  re-victualing 
the  army,  had  been  examined  and  approved.  They  were 
ordered  into  instant  execution.  General  Hooker,  who, 
with  his  entire  command,  was  at  Bridgeport  and  immediate 
vicinity,  was  ordered  to  cross  the  river  and  advance  in  the 
direction  of  Chattanooga,  by  way  of  Shellmound,  Whitesides, 
and  Wauhatchie.  At  the  same  time  a  strong  force  was  to 
be  sent  from  Chattanooga  toward  Bridgeport,  by  way  of 
Brown's  Ferry.  The  two  forces  were  to  meet  in  Will's 
Valley,  near  the  northern  end  of  Lookout.  It  was  not  be- 
lieved that  this  could  be  accomplished  without  a  severe 
struggle.  Hooker  was  fully  advised  of  the  character  and 
importance  of  the  move,  and  directed  to  act  with  the  utmost 
precision  and  promptness.  With  the  advance  of  Hooker  it 
became  necessary  to  assign  other  troops  for  the  protection  of 
his  rear.  A  portion  of  this  work  was  assigned  to  General 
Palmer.  Our  Brigade  and  one  other  were  to  guard  the  Ten- 
nessee from  Bridgeport  to  Shellmound.  On  the  very  day 
that  Hooker  crossed  the  Tennessee  to  carry  out  his  part  in 
this  great  movement,  our  Brigade  crossed  the  river  at  Chat- 
tanooga on  the  pontoon  bridge,  and  marching  rapidly  over 


1 88  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

mountains  and  through  valleys,  reached  Rankin's  Ferry, 
near  Shellmound,  at  the  moment  Hooker  was  ready  to  fall 
upon  the  enemy  at  Wauhatchie.  On  crossing  the  river,  we 
relieved  his  men  who  had  been  stationed  there  as  guard. 
We  took  up  our  position  and  for  a  time  did  guard  duty — the 
first  experience  of  the  kind  we  had  ever  had.  For  awhile 
there  was  exciting  work.  General  Hooker  punished  the 
Confederates  who  attempted  to  impede  his  march  toward 
Brown's  Ferry,  inflicting  a  severe  defeat  at  Wauhatchie,  on 
the  night  of  October  3oth. 

This  movement  forced  the  Confederates  out  of  Will's 
Valley  and  established  railroad  and  wagon  communication 
with  Bridgeport  and  thence  northerly  to  the  civilized  world. 
On  Monday,  the  2d  of  November,  Colonel  Kirby  was  directed 
to  take  four  regiments  and  march  at  once  to  Bridgeport  for 
the  purpose  of  guarding  the  railroad  bridge  over  the  Ten- 
nessee at  that  point.  The  four  regiments  selected  were  the 
loist  Ohio,  3ist  Indiana,  29th  Indiana,  and  2ist  Illinois. 
These  regiments  remained  here  doing  guard  and  picket 
duty  most  of  the  time  until  the  26th  of  January,  1864.  On 
that  date  we  again  went  to  the  front,  moving  by  way  of 
Shellmound  Point  of  Lookout,  Chattanooga,  and  across 
Missionary  Ridge  to  Tyner's  Station,  where  we  remained, 
doing  picket  and  scout  duty,  until  February  gth,  when  we 
moved  to  Ooltewah.  We  remained  here  without  special 
incident  until  the  opening  of  the  Atlanta  campaign,  May 
3d,  1864. 

REORGANIZATION — The  reorganization  of  the  Army  of 
the  Cumberland  for  the  Atlanta  Campaign,  was  announced 
in  April,  1864,  as  follows  :— 

GENERAL,  GEORGE  H.  THOMAS,  Commanding. 

FOURTH  CORPS. 
GENERA^  O.  O.  HOWARD,  Commanding. 


ORGANIZATION.  189 

FIRST  DIVISION. 
GENERAL  D.  S.  STANLEY,  Commanding. 

FIRST    BRIGADE. 

GENERAL  CHARLES  CRUET,  Commanding  until  June  3,  1864. 
COLONEL  I.  M.  KIRBY,  Commanding  after  June  3,  1864. 
loist    Ohio.  2ist   Illinois. 

90th    Ohio.  38th   Illinois. 

3ist    Indiana.  ist    Kentucky. 

8ist    Indiana.  2nd  Kentucky. 

SECOND   BRIGADE. 

GENERAL  W.  C.  WHITAKER. 

THIRD   BRIGADE. 

COLONEL  WILLIAM  GROSE. 
ARTILLERY — 5th  Indiana,  and  Battery  B,  Independent  Pennsylvania. 

SECOND  DIVISION. 
GENERAL  JOHN  NEWTON. 

FIRST  BRIGADE. 
COLONEL  F.  T.  SHERMAN. 

SECOND   BRIGADE. 

GENERAL  G.  D.  WAGNER. 

THIRD  BRIGADE. 
COLONEL  C.  G.  MARKER. 

ARTILLERY — Battery  G,  ist  Missouri;  and  Battery  M,  ist  Illinois. 

THIRD  DIVISION. 
GENERAL  T.  J.  WOOD. 

FIRST   BRIGADE. 

GENERAL  A.  WILLICH. 

SECOND   BRIGADE. 

GENERAL  W.  B.  HAZEN. 

THIRD  BRIGADE. 
GENERAL  SAMUEL  BEATTY. 

ARTILLERY — 6th  Ohio,  and  Bridge's  Illinois  Light  Battery. 


190  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

THE  FOURTEENTH  CORPS. 
GENERAL,  JOHN  M.  PALMER,  Commanding. 


THE  TWENTIETH  CORPS. 
GENERAI,  JOSEPH  HOOKER,  Commanding. 


CAVALRY. 
GENERAL,  W.  L.  EUJOTT,  Commanding. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

THE  ATLANTA   CAMPAIGN — TUNNEL    HILL. 

When  General  Grant  was  called  to  the  supreme  com- 
mand of  our  armies,  he  requested  that  Gen.  W.  T.  Sherman 
might  be  assigned  as  his  successor  to  the  command  of  the 
Department  of  the  Mississippi.  This  request  was  promptly 
granted,  General  McPherson  succeeding  General  Sherman 
as  commander  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee. 

General  Sherman  soon  found  himself  at  the  head  of  an 
army  of  nearly  100,000  men,  well  disciplined  and  ready  for 
the  field.  His  command  consisted  of  three  separate  armies : 

The  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  General  Thomas,  60,500 ; 
the  Army  of  the  Ohio,  General  Schofield,  13,500;  the  Army 
of  the  Tennessee,  General  McPherson,  24,500 ;  a  grand 
total  of  98,500  men. 

Opposed  to  him  was  a  brave,  well  officered  Confederate 
army  of  70,000  men,  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Gen.  J. 
K-  Johnson.  The  leading  or  corps  commanders  of  the  rebel 
army  were  Polk,  Hardee  and  Hood,  all  of  whom  we  had  met 
in  battle  before.  Bragg  had  been  relieved  of  his  command 
in  the  field  and  was  acting  as  "President"  Davis'  chief 
military  adviser. 


MAJOR-GENERAL  D.  S.  STANLEY, 

COMMANDING  FOURTH  CORPS. 

From  steel  engraving. 


192  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

Generals  Grant  and  Sherman  had  arranged  to  act  in 
concert  in  the  coming  campaigns.  Each  was  to  press  the 
enemy  so  hard  that  he  would  not  be  able  to  reinforce  one 
army  from  the  other,  as  had  been  done  at  Chickamauga. 
The  two  campaigns — one  from  the  Rapidan  against  Rich- 
mond, the  other  from  the  Tennessee  against  Atlanta,  were 
to  begin  at  the  same  time,  and  were  to  be  conducted  with- 
out let-up. 

The  country  between  Chattanooga  and  Atlanta  is  natu- 
rally divided  into  three  sections  :  the  first  mountainous,  the 
second  more  open,  and  the  third  hilly  and  broken.  The 
first  section  extends  as  far  south  as  Dal  ton.  It  is  broken  by 
mountains,  valleys,  gorges,  gaps  and  ravines,  many  of  which 
are  passable  only  at  certain  points.  This  section  is  traversed 
by  few  roads,  all  of  which  are  narrow,  ill-made,  winding, 
and  in  many  places  almost  impassable.  The  streams  are 
small,  rapid,  and  generally  at  the  bottom  of  deep  gullies. 
The  country  is  wooded,  with  clearings  and  cultivated 
patches  here  and  there,  with  now  and  then  a  village  con- 
sisting principally  of  a  combined  smith  and  wagon-shop,  a 
corner  grocery,  or  "roost "  for  the  loafers,  and  a  grindstone. 
The  railroad  from  Chattanooga  to  Atlanta  manages  to  get 
through  this  belt  in  some  way.  The  whole  section  is  an 
emphatic  protest  against  military  operations  on  any  large 
scale.  Sherman  was  obliged  to  conquer  not  only  the  rebels, 
but  the  mountains  also,  as  he  advanced.  South  of  Dalton 
the  country  is  more  level  and  open  for  about  thirty  miles, 
when  the  mountains  are  again  encountered.  The  rivers  of 
these  several  sections  offered  serious  impediments  to  our 
advance. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  campaign,  the  Army  of  the 
Tennessee  was  at  Gordon's  Mills,  the  Army  of  the  Ohio  at 
Cleveland,  and  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  at  Chatta- 
nooga. Our  own  Regiment  was  at  Ooltewah,  half  wray  be- 


AT    CATOOSA   SPRINGS.  1 93 

tween  Chattanooga  and  Cleveland.  The  rebel  army  was  in 
force  at  Dalton,  ready  to  dispute  our  passage  southward. 
Strong  detachments  of  the  enemy  were  posted  at  various 
points,  all  the  roads  and  passes  were  carefully  guarded,  and 
their  cavalry  and  scouts  were  on  the  watch  near  our  lines. 
They  had  not  yet  fully  recovered  from  the  surprises  of 
Lookout  Mountain  and  Missionary  Ridge.  They  seemed  to 
haVe  a  profound  respect  for  Yankee  push  and  pluck.  They 
therefore  watched,  ready  to  spring  upon  us  if  we  should 
give  them  the  opportunity,  or  to  fall  back  if  we  became  too 
much  in  earnest.  We  were  generally  in  earnest,  and  they 
were  generally  falling  back. 

On  the  afternoon  of  May  2nd  we  received  our  marching 
orders  for  the  next  day.  Rations  were  prepared,  cartridge 
boxes  were  refilled,  and  everything  put  in  ship-shape  for 
permanent  advance.  The  campaign  would  be  conducted 
for  the  most  part  in  the  mountains.  lyong  wagon  trains 
were  therefore  impossible.  Only  one  wagon  was  allowed 
for  each  regiment,  and  one  pack  mule  for  each  company. 
Every  care  was  taken,  however,  to  have  always  at  hand  an 
abundance  of  ammunition.  The  railroad  was  to  be  kept  in 
repair  up  to  our  front  as  we  advanced  so  that  our  wounded 
might  be  sent  back  to  Ringold  and  Chattanooga,  and  neces- 
sary supplies  promptly  forwarded.  It  was  the  balmy  month 
of  May  and  the  men  marched  "  light." 

At  i  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  May  3rd,  we  moved  out 
of  our  camp  at  Ooltewah  and  took  up  our  line  of  march 
southward,  encamping  without  special  incident  shortly  be- 
fore night,  six  miles  toward  Catoosa  Springs.  At  5  o'clock 
next  morning  we  were  under  way,  passing  through  Catoosa 
Springs  between  10  o'clock  and  n  o'clock.  Halting  and 
resting  here  a  short  time,  we  went  into  camp  on  a  ridge 
nearly  a  mile  south  of  the  Springs.  Being  in  the  advance, 
we  struck  the  enemy,  who  was  in  small  force,  shortly  before 

13 


194  STORY    OF    THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

we  went  into  camp.  Our  picket  lines  caused  them  to  retire 
and  be  quiet.  We  remained  in  camp  until  the  morning 
of  the  yth. 

The  advance  of  our  Brigade  was  a  part  of  the  for- 
ward movement  and  concentration  of  our  entire  army. 
McPherson  was  at  Gordon's  Mills,  Schofield  at  Red  Clay, 
and  Thomas  near  Ringold.  Sherman's  army  presented  a 
front  of  sixteen  miles.  May  5th  and  6th  were  spent  in  com- 
pleting the  concentration  of  our  forces  and  in  many  other 
necessary  preliminaries.  Everything  except  fighting  men 
and  supplies  was  sent  to  the  rear.  Our  army  was  stripped 
to  the  waist  ;  the  enemy  was  in  sight  ;  it  was  time  to  strike 
the  first  blow. 

Well  aware  of  Johnson's  strong  position,  and  knowing 
the  character  of  the  country  in  his  front,  Sherman  sought 
at  the  very  outset  of  the  campaign  to  weaken  the  enemy  by 
the  boldest  kind  of  a  flank  movement.  While  Thomas 
threatened  Johnson's  center,  and  Schofield  demonstrated 
against  his  right,  McPherson  struck  across  the  country  by 
way  of  Dogwood  Valley  and  Snake  Creek  Gap  to  the  vicin- 
ity of  Resaca,  some  miles  south  of  Dalton.  But  he  could 
not  reach  this  position  before  the  9th.  It  was  therefore 
necessary  to  operate  along  our  front  with  some  vigor,  in 
order  to  hold  the  enemy's  attention  until  McPherson  could 
reach  his  destination. 

We  were  in  line  very  early  in  the  morning  of  May  yth, 
and  soon  after  daylight  began  to  advance,  our  Brigade 
leading.  We  soon  met  the  enemy's  pickets,  and  shortly 
after  encountered  their  skirmish  line.  The  loist  and  two 
companies  of  the  8ist  Indiana,  were  deployed  as  skirmish- 
ers. Advancing,  we  forced  the  rebels  steadily  back  until 
they  reached  their  main  line,  but  not  without  some  severe 
fighting.  The  Confederates  did  not  wait  for  close  work, 
consequently  our  casualties  were  not  numerous.  There 


TUNNEL  HILL.  195 

seemed  to  be  method  in  this  rebel  retreat,  for  no  sooner 
had  we  reached  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Tunnel  Hill  than 
it  was  discovered  by  our  commanding  officer,  who  had  rid- 
den forward  to  an  eminence,  that  a  rebel  Brigade,  was 
already  moving  to  charge  our  skirmish  line.  The  situa- 
tion was  exceedingly  serious.  Seeing  the  danger,  but 
deciding  to  hold  the  position,  Colonel  Kirby,  who  com- 
manded the  Regiment,  looked  back  for  supports,  but 
none  were  in  sight — a  gross  neglect  on  the  part  of  the 
Brigade  commander.  The  next  best  thing  was  instantly 
done — orders  were  issued  to  "rally  by  companies",  prepara- 
tory to  fighting  our  way  to  an  assembly  of  the  whole.  The 
rebel  cavalry  were  coming  over  the  railroad  on  a  trot,  when 
our  old  commander,  Jeff  C.  Davis,  with  his  characteristic 
watchfulness  and  promptness,  appeared  on  a  high  range  of 
hills  to  our  right,  and  quickly  placed  a  battery  in  position. 
Opening  briskly,  he  soon  broke  up  the  enemy's  column  and 
relieved  us  from  our  unpleasant  situation.  Advancing  to 
the  foot  of  Tunnel  Hill,  General  Davis  and  his  staff,  gallop- 
ing forward  to  meet  us,  ran  into  a  nest  of  rebels  in  the 
underbrush,  and  wrere  fired  upon,  one  of  his  orderlies  being 
killed.  Company  C,  of  our  Regiment,  dashed  forward  to  the 
relief  of  the  General,  and  quickly  routed  the  enemy.  Davis 
was  profuse  with  his  thanks  to  his  "innocents,"  as  he 
pleasantly  called  us  since  the  affair  at  Knob  Gap,  in  Decem- 
ber, 1862. 

While  we  thus  held  our  Brigade  front,  two  of  Whitaker's 
regiments  gained  the  enemy's  flank,  when,  together,  we 
rolled  the  butternuts  down  the  hill,  into  the  ravines  and  val- 
leys beyond  the  crest.  In  the  meantime,  Sherman's  Grand 
Army  had  moved  forward — the  lines  of  blue  faced  those  of 
gray — the  giants  were  about  to  engage  in  a  conflict  which 
would  not  end  for  a  hundred  days.  It  was  the  opening  of 
the  Atlanta  Campaign. 


196  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

CHAPTER  XV. 

ROCKY    PACK. 

Rocky  Face  is  a  long,  irregular  ridge,  extending  nearly 
north  and  south.  Its  sides  are  rough,  rocky,  and  steep- 
almost  impossible  of  ascent,  its  top  narrow  and  in  places 
jagged  and  rocky.  To  the  north  of  it  is  Tunnel  Hill,  from 
which  it  is  separated  by  a  narrow,  wooded  ravine  ;  and  to 
the  west  of  it,  that  is,  in  front,  is  Mill  Creek  Valley,  and  a 
gorge  leading  westward,  while  to  the  south  is  the  famous 
Buzzard  Roost  Gap.  Nature,  in  one  of  her  spasms  in  the 
remote  past,  seemed  to  have  fixed  up  this  desolate  region 
for  Johnson's  especial  benefit.  Had  McPherson  failed  to 
get  through  Snake  Creek  Gap,  many  more  of  our  boys  must 
have  died  here  in  the  attempt  to  dislodge  the  enemy. 

The  Confederates  were  in  force  along  the  ridge  and  at 
Buzzard  Roost,  including  several  knolls  in  front  of  the  lat- 
ter. A  strong  picket  line  guarded  the  base  of  Rocky  Face 
— there  seemed  no  weak  point  anywhere.  We  of  the  rank 
and  file  were  not  reliably  posted  as  to  all  these  details,  and 
yet  we  managed  in  some  way,  how  I  do  not  know,  to  have 
a  pretty  fair  knowledge  of  our  surroundings.  We  knew  that 
McPherson  was  off  on  a  flanking  expedition,  but  we  did  not 
know  how  he  was  to  get  out  of  the  mountain  tangle,  nor 
wrhere  he  was  to  strike.  We  knew  where  Schofield  was, 
and  readily  comprehended  his  duties.  But  when  our  whole 
army,  saving  our  own  Corps,  began  the  movement  to  the 
right,  we  were  stumped.  We  planned  many  a  campaign  in 
which,  it  must  be  confessed,  we  had  little  regard  for  roads, 
rivers,  ravines,  or  ridges.  In  this  campaign  we  were  always 
greatly  interested  in  all  the  side  movements  of  our  command, 
and  various  were  the  guesses  and  predictions  made  by  the 
boys  as  to  destination,  and  what  would  occur  on  arrival. 


ROCKY   FACE.  I 97 

The  next  morning  after  the  affair  at  Tunnel  Hill,  Sun- 
day the  8th,  was  cloudless  but  very  smoky.  There  seemed 
to  have  settled  a  thick  haze  over  all  the  wild  region  around 
us.  Generals  Howard,  Stanley,  and  Cruft  were  on  Tunnel 
Hill  near  us,  awaiting  the  lifting  of  the  fog.  The  results  of 
the  previous  day's  work  had  been  such  as  to  make  prompt 
and  vigorous  action  necessary.  The  enemy  was  very  strong- 
ly posted,  and  might  on  learning  of  McPherson's  movement, 
detach  a  sufficient  force  to  crush  him.  Thomas  must  there- 
fore strike  quickly  and  as  hard  as  possible,  so  as  to  hold 
Johnson  at  Dalton.  McPherson  was  to  fall  suddenly  upon 
the  enemy's  rear,  destroy  his  communications,  and  do  all 
the  damage  possible.  Schofield  was  to  hammer  them  on  the 
east.  Notwithstanding  all  this,  Johnson  sent  three  Divisions 
to  look  after  McPherson,  which  made  it  necessary  for  the 
Union  General  to  take  up  a  strong  defensive  position  at 
the  mouth  of  Snake  Creek  Gap.  Two  of  Johnson's  Divi- 
sions were  then  returned  to  the  front.  Sherman  was  dis- 
appointed at  McPherson's  failure,  but  at  once  made  arrange- 
ments to  transfer  his  whole  arm}7  to  the  vicinity  of  Resaca, 
excepting  only  our  Corps  (Howard's)  and  Stoneman's  cav- 
alry. This  great  movement  was  successfully  executed,  and 
for  a  time  the  Fourth  Corps  alone  confronted  the  enemy 
north  of  Dalton.  All  this  required  several  days.  Pending 
these  movements  the  fight  in  front  of  Rocky  Face  contin- 
ued. About  9  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  8th,  the  fog 
having  cleared  away,  we  advanced,  passing  down  the  south- 
ern slope  of  Tunnel  Hill,  into  the  valley  and  in  front  of 
Rocky  Face.  Schofield  advanced  at  the  same  time  nearly 
two  miles,  when  he  struck  a  line  of  works  which  prevented 
further  progress.  A  little  later  in  the  day  our  Division  was 
advanced  nearer  the  Ridge,  and  at  once  became  sharply  en- 
gaged with  the  enemy's  skirmish  line.  The  sides  of  Rocky 
Face  were  so  steep  that  as  yet  the  enemy  had  not  succeeded 


198  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

in  dragging  up  any  artillery,  but  from  the  knolls  near  Buz- 
zard Roost  they  kept  up  an  ugly  fire.  Soon  after  noon  our 
former  commander,  Jeff  C.  Davis,  led  a  force  against  these 
knolls,  and,  assisted  by  our  Division  artillery,  routed  the 
rebel  force  stationed  there  and  took  possession — finding  it 
necessary  to  entrench  himself  at  orice.  This  movement  de- 
veloped the  position  and,  apparently,  the  force  of  the  enemy 
at  the  Gap.  Remaining  within  three  hundred  or  four  hun- 
dred yards  of  their  works  at  the  base  of  the  Ridge,  and 
skirmishing  with  them  all  day,  we,  at  dusk,  were  relieved, 
and  soon  after  went  into  camp  for  the  night  on  Tunnel  Hill. 

We  advanced  very  early  next  morning,  and  soon  en- 
countered the  enemy's  pickets,  and  an  hour  later  were 
ordered  forward.  Under  cover  of  brushwood  and  trees  we 
forced  our  way  up  to  the  base  of  the  mountain  and  held  it 
all  day.  Our  nearness  to  the  Ridge  was  really  a  protection. 
L,ate  in  the  afternoon  an  unsuccessful  assault  was  made  on 
Buzzard  Roost  Gap.  The  assault  was  gallantly  made,  but 
the  fire  of  the  enemy,  both  from  the  gorge  and  from  the 
ridge,  almost  directly  overhead,  was  too  much.  The  Union 
loss  was  about  sixty,  confined  to  the  96th  Illinois  and  the 
84th  Indiana. 

On  the  loth  the  enemy  succeeded  in  dragging  several 
mountain  howitzers  to  the  summit  of  the  ridge,  with  which 
they  proceeded  to  shell  our  lines.  Aside  from  this  and 
vigorous  work  along  the  picket  line  nothing  especial  occurred. 
Our  own  Division  was  transferred  to  the  Right,  relieving 
General  Davis,  and  taking  a  position  at  the  danger  point. 
The  line  along  the  base  of  the  ridge  was  simply  to  be  held. 
Our  new  position  was  not  only  to  be  held,  but,  with  it  as  a 
base,  demonstrations  against  the  enemy  in  Buzzard  Roost 
Gap  were  to  be  made.  The  change  meant  dangerous  work, 
and  much  of  it.  By  this  time,  evening  of  the  loth,  Mc- 
Pherson  had  reached  his  destination,  and  was  threatening 


LIEUTENANT  COLONEL   B.  B.   McDONALD. 

From   photograph. 


200  STORY    OF   THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

Johnson's  rear.  The  Rebel  Commander  at  once  detached 
three  Divisions  to  look  after  him,  as  previously  stated. 

On  the  nth  it  was  rumored  that  the  enemy  was  retreat- 
ing, and  an  assault  upon  Buzzard  Roost  was  ordered  to  de- 
termine the  matter.  This  was  a  costly  affair  for  our  Regi- 
ment. A  similar  assault  had  been  attempted  on  the  Qth 
with  disastrous  results. 

It  was  late  in  the  afternoon.  The  Brigade  was  moved 
by  the  flank  along  the  base  of  Rocky  Face,  toward  the 
mouth  of  the  Gap  or  Gorge,  marching  rapidly  under  a  sharp 
fire.  As  soon  as  the  head  of  the  column  reached  the  front 
of  the  Gap  an  assault  was  ordered,  and  the  loist,  under 
Colonel  Kirby,  was  placed  in  the  lead.  Without  so  much  as 
halting  to  form,  the  grand  old  Regiment  was  deployed  for- 
ward on  double-quick  as  skirmishers,  and  pressed  right  on. 
Lieutenant  Colonel  McDonald  was  sent  to  the  extreme 
left  of  the  line,  with  instructions  to  move  as  close  to 
the  foot  of  the  ridge  as  possible  on  that  side.  The 
line  would  continually  "guide  left."  Scarcely  had  we 
entered  the  mouth  of  the  gorge  when  we  met  a  murderous 
fire  of  cannon  and  musketry  from  front  and  both  flanks  de- 
livered most  viciously.  Pressing  forward,  detached  forces 
of  the  enemy  occupying  prominent  points  were  speedily 
driven  back.  The  resistance  soon  became  so  strong  and 
determined  that  we  could  advance  but  a  few7  yards  at  a  time, 
securing  some  prominent  projection  or  point  of  rocks  and 
holding 'on  until  we  could  get  breath  and  see  another  oppor- 
tunity for  a  rush.  Thus  the  line  was  forced  forward,  till  at 
length  we  found  ourselves  immediately  in  front  of  the 
enemy's  main  line  of  works  stretching  across  the  further 
opening  of  the  Gap,  only  a  few  rods  distant,  and  alive  with 
men.  The  ground  in  our  rear  was  so  completely  swept  by 
continually  bursting  case  shot  and  canister  that  it  seemed 
utter  destruction  to  attempt  a  retrograde  movement.  It 


BUZZARD    ROOST.  2OI 

must  have  been  our  very  impudence  that  saved  us  from 
annihilation.  We  could  advance  no  further,  nor  could  we 
retreat.  We  could  only  hug  the  rocks  and  work  our  mus- 
kets with  all  the  vim  that  was  in  us.  The  situation  just  at 
the  coming  of  night,  in  that  dark  gorge,  with  the  ground 
seemingly  on  fire  from  bursting  artillery  missiles  all  about 
us,  was  wierd  and  awe-inspiring  in  the  extreme. 

We  had  neither  seen  nor  heard  anything  from  the  rest  of 
the  Brigade,  nor  from  our  Brigade  Commander,  since  we 
first  entered  the  gorge.  Adjutant  Neff  was  sent  back,  going 
on  his  hands  and  knees  until  he  passed  the  line  of  fire,  and 
soon  after,  fearing  that  Neff  could  not  get  through  alive, 
Sergeant- Major  Jay  Smith  was  also,  in  like  manner,  sent 
back,  to  communicate  with  our  Brigade  Commander  and 
learn  what  orders  he  had  for  us.  Both  Neff  and  Smith  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  through  and  returning  to  us,  bringing 
word  that  our  Commander  deemed  it  useless  to  attempt  to 
succor  us — the  sacrifice  would  evidently  be  too  great — and 
that  we  .should  rely  on  ourselves  to  get  out  as  best  we  could. 
We,  therefore,  held  on,  doubling  our  diligence  and  keeping 
the  enemy  from  any  attempt  to  capture  us,  until  about  9 
o'clock  at  night.  When  it  became  so  dark  that  our  move- 
ments could  not  be  seen,  word  was  passed  along  the  line 
that  we  would  attempt  to  withdraw  by  the  center,  man  by 
man  following  his  next  comrade  from  right  and  left  as  rapid- 
ly as  possible.  All  were  thus  safely  withdrawn,  nor  did  any 
ever  desire  more  experience  of  that  kind. 

The  Regiment  received  unstinted  praise  from  General 
Stanley  for  our  magnificent  work  on  this  occasion,  and  to 
the  end  of  the  war  he  always  manifested  a  very  high  regard 
for  us. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  movement  no  special  in- 
structions were  given  Colonel  Kirby  as  to  the  object  to  be 
accomplished.  Consequently  he  was  left  with  the  impres- 


202  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

sion  that  he  was  to  open  the  way  for  a  determined  effort  on 
the  part  of  the  Division  and  Corps  to  break  through  the  gap. 
The  officers  and  many  of  the  men  believed  that  we  were 
going  as  a  sacrifice  to  accomplish  this  purpose.  But  not  a 
man  showed  the  least  trepidation  nor  lost  perfect  self-control. 
Had  it  been  known  that  this  same  Buzzard  Roost  Gap 
was  guarded  that  very  moment  by  thousands  of  Confederate 
soldiers,  all  under  arms,  it  is  not  at  all  likely  that  our  little 
Regiment  would  have  been  flung  into  it.  The  very  inso- 
lence of  our  advance  doubtless  convinced  the  Confederates 
that  they  might  next  day  expect  an  attack  somewhere  in 
force.  Our  losses  in  this  assault  were  quite  severe. 

KILLED. 

Lieutenant  Alex.  C.  Hosmer,  Commanding  Company  A,  was  mor- 
tally wounded,  and  died  next  day  on  the  way  to  the  hospital  at 
Ringold.  He  had  been  given  every  possible  attention  at  the  field 
hospital,  under  care  of  Dr.  T.  M.  Cook,  our  Regimental  Surgeon, 
now  iu  charge  of  the  Brigade  Hospital.  Brave  almost  to  reckless- 
ness, Lieutenant  Hosmer  fell  at  his  post. 

Comrade  Frederick  Jefferson,  Company  A. 

Comrade  Theophilus  Gould,  Company  F. 

Comrade  Joseph  M.  Anderson,  Company  F. 

WOUNDED. 

Comrade  Win.  Meacham,  Company  B. 
Comrade  Emanuel  Kies,  Company  C. 
Comrade  Henry  Rupersberger,  Company  C. 
Comrade  George  H.  Sauer,  Company  D. 
Comrade  John  Otzensperger,  Company  E. 
Comrade  James  H.  Corning,  Company  F. 
Comrade  Shipley  H.  Link,  Company  F. 
Comrade  George  Somers,  Company  I. 
Comrade  Isaiah  Solomon,  Company  K. 
Comrade  David  Good,  Company  F. 

Comrade  John  S.  Miller,  of  Company  B,  was  accidentally  wounded 
at  the  same  time. 


BATTLE   OF   RESACA.  203 

Many  others  were  less  severely  wounded,  of  which  no 
record  was  made  at  the  time.  Our  losses  would  have  been 
very  .much  greater  had  it  not  been  for  a  slight  depression  in 
the  ground,  of  which  we  took  instant  advantage,  just  as  the 
Confederate  batteries,  double  shotted  with  grape  and  canis- 
ter, opened  on  us.  The  discharge  went  a  few  feet  above  our 
heads  and  did  comparatively  little  harm.  Had  it  come  a 
few  minutes  earlier  it  would  have  played  havoc  with  our 
men. 

Falling  back  under  cover  of  darkness,  as  stated  above, 
we  took  up  a  strong  position  and  held  the  entrance  to  the 
gorge  ready  to  resist  any  sortie  the  enemy  might  attempt. 
Considerable  firing  was  kept  up  along  the  skirmish  line  all 
night,  but  nothing  serious  occurred. 

From  the  summit  of  Buzzard  Roost,  General  Johnston 
must  have  observed  the  general  movement  of  our  army 
toward  his  left.  That  he  did  discover  this  and  rightly  divine 
Sherman's  intentions,  is  clearly  shown  by  the  fact  that  when 
Sherman  debouched  into  the  open  country  from  Snake 
Creek  Gap,  he  found  the  Confederate  army  very  strongly 
entrenched  at  Resaca  waiting  for  him. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

BATTLE   OF   RESACA. 

During  the  night  of  the  i2th,  the  Confederates  with- 
drew, falling  back  to  Resaca.  The  pursuit  was  instantly 
taken  up.  Our  Division  marched  at  7  o'clock  on  the  morn- 
of  the  1 3th,  passing  through  Dalton  at  9  o'clock,  and  en- 
camping at  night  about  nine  miles  north  of  Resaca.  Our 
camp  was  in  the  woods  on  a  by-road  leading  to  Sugar  Creek, 
and  we  were  by  no  means  sure  of  the  position  or  strength  of 


204  STORY    OF    THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

the  enemy  near  us.  Soon  after  leaving  camp  in  the  morn- 
ing, we  came  upon  the  Confederate  rear  guard,  with  which 
we  skirmished  all  day.  They  made  especial  resistance  at 
and  near  Dalton.  A  few  miles  further  south,  their  cavalry 
became  so  stubborn  that  it  was  necessary  to  bring  artillery 
to  bear  on  them  in  order  to  cause  them  to  move  on.  Later 
in  the  afternoon  both  cavalry  and  infantry  turned  upon  us, 
and  the  fight  became  quite  spirited.  But  they  were  steadily 
pushed  back.  Our  losses  were  slight, 

We  resumed  our  march  next  morning  at  6  o'clock,  and 
soon  fell  upon  the  enemy.  Towrard  noon  the  action  be- 
came quite  brisk,  and  for  a  time  it  looked  as  though  most  of 
our  Corps  would  be  engaged.  The  Confederates,  however, 
gave  way  and  we  pursued  them  vigorously  for  some  dis- 
tance. They  fell  back  to  their  main  lines  at  Resaca,  and 
our  Corps  halted  at  about  4  o'clock  within  a  mile  of  the 
Confederate  main  works.  General  Sherman's  army  was  in 
line  facing  the  enemy  in  the  following  order :  On  the  ex- 
treme right,  resting  on  the  Oostanaula  was  the  Army  of  the 
Tennessee,  General  McPherson  ;  on  his  left,  the  Army  of 
the  Cumberland  (excepting  our  Corps),  and  on  the  left  of 
this,  the  Army  of  the  Ohio.  Our  Corps  had  halted  on  the 
left  and  in  rear  of  Schofield.  As  soon  as  it  was  learned  that 
General  Howard  was  within  supporting  distance,  Scho- 
field was  ordered  to  make  an  assault.  Indeed,  Sherman's 
entire  line  stood  to  arms  and  was  soon  engaged.  Howard 
was  ordered  forward  with  instructions  to  join  Schofield's 
left.  This  we  did  with  great  promptness,  Kirby's  Brigade 
being  at  this  hour,  4:30  P.  M.,  on  the  extreme  left  of  Sher- 
man's army.  The  icist  was  ordered  forward  as  skirmish- 
ers, as  indeed  it  had  been  both  that  day  and  the  day  before, 
every  time  we  came  in  contact  with  the  enemy.  At  least 
half  a  dozen  times  on  the  march  the  column  had  been 
halted,  and  the  loist  passed  to  the  front,  until  it  became  a 


CAPTAIN  JAMES  I.  NEFF, 

COMPANY   H. 

From   photograph. 


206  STORY    OF    THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

common  saying  among  the  boys  of  the  other  regiments : 
"The  rebs  are  in  front;  there  goes  the  loist  forward." 
The  skirmishing  here  was  pressed  with  such  vigor  over  the 
rough,  wooded  sides  of  the  broken  ridge  that  it  assumed 
almost  the  proportions  of  battle.  The  enemy  was  steadily 
driven  back  toward  their  main  line.  But  the  Confederates 
soon  perceived  that  their  right  greatly  overlapped  our  left, 
and  at  once  took  advantage  of  this  fact,  sending  against  us 
an  overwhelming  force. 

A  full  Division,  marching  in  the  valley  below,  passed  to 
our  left,  then  wheeled  and  assaulted  our  flank,  which  was 
badly  in  the  air.  So  imminent  was  the  danger  at  this  point, 
and  to  our  Brigade  especially,  that  to  avoid  capture,  our 
batteries,  under  Captain  Simonson,  were  withdrawn  and  so 
placed  as  to  rake  our  present  position  after  we  should  be 
driven  back.  There  was  practically  no  support  on  our  im- 
mediate left,  Sherman's  lines  in  this  part  of  the  field  not 
having  yet  been  fully  established.  Cur  Brigade  held  on  as 
long  as  it  was  possible  to  do  so,  but. our  assailants  were  two 
to  our  one  and  we  were  compelled  to  give  way.  Realizing 
the  importance  of  this  part  of  the  line,  Sherman  at  once  sent 
reinforcements.  In  the  meantime  our  batteries,  aided  by 
our  own  best  efforts,  had  stayed  the  enemy. 

Captain  Simonson,  5th  Indiana  Battery,  posted  in  an 
open  field  back  of  an  old  peach  orchard,  supported  by  the 
loist,  which  had  fallen  back  to  that  position,  repulsed 
the  rebel  advance  spoken  of  as  moving  against  and 
around  our  left  flank.  The  charging  column  came  almost 
to  the  muzzles  of  Simonson's  guns.  In  the  heroic  service  of 
those  guns  the  Captain,  with  bared  red  head  gleaming  in 
the  light  of  his  blazing  cannon  (it  was  just  dusk),  constantly 
reiterated  the  command :  ' '  Load  them  steel  guns  to  the 
muzzle."  As  fast  as  his  men  were  lost,  details  were  made 
from  the  loist  to  take  their  places.  So  pleased  was  he  with 


BATTLE    OF    RESACA.  2OJ 

• 

the  service  of  these  men  that  he  persistently  asked  that  they 
might  be  permanently  transferred  to  him.  Of  course 
Colonel  Kirby  would  not  part  with  such  men.  But  so 
proud  was  the  Captain  of  a  gay  boy  of  Company  D  that  he 
begged  permission  to  borrow  him  a  few  days  to  ride  on  one 
of  the  artillery  carriages.  General  Hooker  came  upon  this 
part  of  the  field  with  one  of  his  Divisions,  just  at  the  close  of 
this  artillery  fighting,  and  riding  up  to  Captain  Simonson 
and  laying  his  hand  on  the  brave  man's  shoulder,  with 
glowing  countenance,  asked  what  battery  it  was  and 
whether  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  had  any  more  like  it. 
The  Captain's  laconic  reply  was  :  "  -  — st  battery  in  the 
army,  General."  On  the  arrival  of  help,  we  joined  them, 
and  with  a  wild  yell  and  a  still  wilder  rush,  we  drove  the 
enemy  back  into  his  works,  and  held  our  ground  against 
his  best  efforts  to  dislodge  us.  Other  Divisions  were  sent 
to  this  danger  point,  so  that  before  midnight  our  lines  over- 
lapped those  of  the  enemy, 

Johnston's  plan  had  been  to  crush  our  left,  double  our 
lines  back,  and  roll  Sherman  against  the  mountains  west  of 
the  town.  The  wicked  assault  upon  our  own  Brigade  was 
the  initial  move  in  the  great  plan.  Our  stubbornness  and 
the  timely  arrival  of  assistance,  spoiled  his  plan.  In  our 
immediate  front  the  Confederate  position  was  very  strong 
—hills,  ravines,  thick  woods,  forts  and  earthworks  stared  us 
in  the  face.  Further  to  the  right,  Camp  Creek  separated  the 
contending  lines.  Here,  also,  the  enemy  was  strongly  en- 
trenched on  high  ground.  The  problem  of  dislodging  the 
Confederate  army  was  a  very  serious  one.  Great  slaughter 
must  follow  a  direct  assault.  Johnston  had  been  flanked  out 
of  Dalton  with  comparatively  little  hard  fighting,  but  this 
could  not  be  accomplished  here — severe  fighting  seemed 
necessary.  Planning  a  flank  movement,  however,  Sherman 
had  so  disposed  his  force  as  to  leave  a  part  free,  and  further, 


208  STORY    OF   THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

with  the  advance  of  our  lines,  still  others  would  be  released 
by  convergence.  With  these  troops  he  at  once  began  a 
flank  movement  that  had  the  desired  effect  of  drawing 
Johnston  out  of  his  works,  not  for  battle,  but  for  escape. 
The  severe  fighting  during  the  afternoon  had  resulted  in 
Sherman's  getting  a  foothold  on  the  east  side  of  Camp  Creek, 
close  up  to  the  Confederate  line.  This,  to  them,  was  ex- 
ceedingly discouraging.  Moreover,  General  Polk,  who  had 
command  of  the  rebel  left,  had  lost  to  McPherson  the  very 
strongest  position  on  that  part  of  the  Confederate  line, 
and  though  he  tried  in  very  desperation  to  dislodge  the  boys 
in  blue,  he  failed  in  every  attempt,  and  at  last,  about  10 
o'clock  at  night,  gave  it  up.  This  brought  the  railroad  and 
wagon  bridges  over  the  Oostanaula  within  range  of  Sherman's 
guns.  Having  lost  these  bridges,  Johnston  at  once  ordered 
the  laying  of  a  pontoon  further  up  the  river,  out  of  range  of 
McPherson' s  guns.  He  was  also  obliged  to  cut  a  new  road 
to  this  new  bridge.  In  the  meantime,  Sherman  had  also 
caused  the  laying  of  a  pontoon  at  Lay's  Ferry,  a  short  dis- 
tance down  the  river. 

Following  the  repulse  of  the  enemy  in  our  own  Division 
front,  noted  above,  we  were  treated  to  heavy  artillery  firing. 
The  skirmish  line  was  noisy  until  late  at  night — there  was 
prospect  of  a  great  battle  next  day.  We  were  rapidly  be- 
coming accustomed  to  being  under  fire  all  the  time.  The 
"bing"  of  the  minie  seemed  to  be  losing  many  of  its  terrors, 
and  the  boys  took  narrow  escapes  as  a  matter  of  course.  If 
a  comrade  were  only  slightly  wounded,  he  was  quite  likely 
to  be  laughed  at.  If  a  shell  came  unusually  close,  it  was 

quite  sure  to  be  greeted  (after  it  had  passed)  with  a  " 

you,"  or  something  of  that  sort.     And  yet,  as  Dr.  Cook  ex- 
pressed it,   "  It  was  hard  to  get  used  to  being  killed." 

The  night  of  the  i4th  passed  without  special  incident, 
both  armies  resting  in  line,  ready  for  work. 


BATTLE   OF    RESACA.  209 

• 

Sunday,  the  i5th,  was  ushered  in  by  a  renewal  of  skir- 
mish firing  along  our  entire  front.  Suspecting  that  Sherman 
would  advance  his  left,  General  Hood  strengthened  his  in- 
trenchments  and  ran  a  battery  forward  to  hold  us  in  check. 
But  his  gunners  were  soon  picked  off,  and  the  battery  re- 
mained between  the  lines  until  night,  when  we  brought  it  in. 

Johnston  was  in  trouble.  He  was  hemmed  in  on  the 
north  and  west  by  our  troops ;  on  the  south  by  the  Oostan- 
aula,  the  bridges  over  which  were  commanded  by  McPher- 
son's  guns  ;  and  on  the  east  by  the  Connasauga.  Moreover, 
Sherman  had  at  least  one  Division  (Sweeney's)  of  Dodge's, 
Corps,  south  of  the  Oostanaula.  Johnston  saw  clearly 
that  he  could  not  hold  Resaca.  He  therefore  decided  to 
withdraw.  This  he  did  on  the  night  of  the  i5th.  Under 
cover  of  darkness,  two-thirds  of  his  army — Folk's  and  Har- 
dee's  Corps — crossed  the  Oostanaula  by  the  railroad  and 
wagon  bridges.  These  bridges  were  within  cannon  range 
of  Sherman's  guns,  but  darkness  made  it  safe  for  Johnston 
to  use  them.  The  remainder  of  his  army  crossed  on  the 
new  pontoon  laid  on  the  night  of  the  i4th.  Early  on  the 
morning  of  the  i6th,  Sherman  occupied  the  town,  but  im- 
mediately put  his  army  in  motion.  Some  crossed  at  Lay's, 
some  at  Resaca,  and  some  still  further  up  the  river.  Our 
own  Brigade,  Division  and  Corps,  crossed  at  Resaca. 

Our  regimental  losses  at  Resaca  were  as  follows : 

Comrade  Joseph  C.  Lapham,  Company  H,  mortally  wounded  May 
1 4th ;  died  in  hospital  at  Resaca,  May  i6th. 

Comrade  George  S.  McKee,  Company  E,  wounded. 
Comrade  David  Good,  Company  F,  wounded. 
Comrade  Cornelins  Siberts,  Company  F,  wounded. 
Comrade  William  J.  Burns,  Company  H,  wounded. 
Comrade  L/eonard  G.  Cole,  Company  H,  wounded. 
Comrade  J.  F.  Yeager,  Company  H,  wounded. 
Comrade  Joseph  Van  Nest,  Company  I,  wounded. 

Many  others  were  wounded,  but  less  severely. 


210  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

FROM  RKSACA  TO  THE  ETOWAH — KINGSTON. 

Falling  back  from  Resaca,  General  Johnston  determined 
not  to  risk  a  battle  with  Sherman  in  the  open  country. 
Halting  a  day  (the  i6th)  near  Calhoun,  he  again  put  his  army 
in  motion  for  the  hill  country  south  of  the  Etowah.  His 
retreat  was  covered  by  a  strong  rear  guard,  which  succeeded 
in  causing  considerable  trouble  and  not  a  little  delay.  Sher- 
man was  determined  to  force  Johnston  to  fight  before  he 
could  reach  the  hills.  To  this  end  he  put  his  army  in  rapid 
motion  and  pushed  vigorous!}7"  forward.  The  Army  of  the 
Cumberland  was  considered  able  to  take  care  of  the  entire 
rebel  army  long  enough  to  allow  either  Schofield  or  Mc- 
Pherson  to  make  an  extended  flank  movement.  Thomas, 
therefore,  advanced  directly  upon  Johnston  wherever  he 
could  be  found,  while  McPherson  and  Schofield,  with  equal 
persistence,  sought  his  flanks. 

Marching  on  the  iyth,  the  Confederate  Commander  took 
position  just  south  of  Adairsville,  but  not  finding  it  to  his 
liking,  soon  continued  his  retreat.  His  army  was  kept  won- 
derfully well  in  hand,  and  seemed  to  lose  neither  its  pride  nor 
its  spirit  in  consequence  of  retreating.  Sherman's  army  was 
also  well  in  hand  and  brim  full  of  enthusiasm.  Our  Brigade 
encamped  near  Calhoun  on  the  evening  of  the  i6th.  The 
entire  Army  of  the  Cumberland  was  in  our  immediate  vicin- 
ity that  night,  but  Johnston  retreated  under  cover  of  dark- 
ness. 

Continuing  our  pursuit,  we  left  camp  at  daylight,  and 
soon  began  skirmishing  with  the  enemy.  Cheatham's  en- 
tire Division  and  Wheeler's  Cavalry  were  acting  as  rear 
guard.  Skirmish  firing  was  heavy  all  day,  and  especially 
so  in  the  afternoon. 


P1B 


JOSEPH  VAN  NEST, 

COMPANY  I. 

From  photograph  taken  in  1893. 


212  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

Johnston  had  encamped  in  line  between  two  hills,  but 
he  could  not  cover  his  front  and  flanks  to  his  satisfaction, 
consequently  he  continued  his  retreat.  At  8  o'clock  next 
morning,  the  i8th,  we  resumed  our  march  southward,  pass- 
ing through  Adairsville  an  hour  later,  and  encamping  at 
night  four  miles  north  of  Kingston.  Aside  from  the  usual 
skirmishing  nothing  of  especial  interest  occurred.  Our 
three  armies  kept  well  abreast  and  within  easy  supporting 
distance. 

Daylight  of  the  igth  found  us  on  the  march.  A  heavy 
fog  hung  over  all  the  country.  As  we  neared  Kingston  the 
fog  lifted  and  we  began  skirmishing,  our  Corps  taking  a 
number  of  prisoners.  A  few  miles  south  of  the  town  we 
came  upon  a  body  of  Confederates  who  showed  fight.  We 
immediately  gratified  them  and  soon  had  them  on  the  run . 
The  affair  was  quite  serious  for  a  short  time.  Our  Regi- 
ment, with  suitable  supports,  was  deployed,  and  steadily 
carried  everything  before  it.  Our  losses  were  as  follows: 

Comrade  Charles  Scott,  of  Company  D,  killed. 
Comrade  James  Campbell,  of  Company  B,  wounded. 
Comrade  Joseph  D.  Reese,  of  Company  K,  wounded. 

A  number  of  others  were  slightly  wounded. 

We  continued  our  march,  skirmishing  very  heavily  at 
intervals  all  day,  and  encamped  near  Cassville,  nearly  five 
miles  southeast  of  Kingston.  The  enemy  held  a  very  strong 
position  here,  but  on  the  approach  of  our  army  again  re- 
treated,! passing  south  of  the  Etowah  River,  and  leaving  us 
in  possession  of  all  north  of  it. 

General  Sherman  here  halted  his  army  for  a  few  days' 
rest,  and  for  the  further  purpose  of  repairing  the  roads  in 
his  rear  and  accumulating  supplies,  preparatory  to  the  next 
stage  of  our  advance.  While  thus  resting,  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland  was  at  Cassville,  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  at 
and  near  Kingston,  and  the  Army  of  the  Ohio  near  Cass- 


ESCORT   DUTY.  213 

ville  Station  and  the  bridge  over  the  Btowah.  Our  Regi- 
ment spent  the  2oth,  2ist  and  22d  in  comparative  quiet.  It 
seemed  a  little  strange  to  spend  a  whole  day  without  being 
shot  at,  and  without  hearing  the  music  of  cannon  and  mus- 
ket. It  was,  however,  a  variation  which  we  greatly  enjoyed. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

FROM   THE   ETOWAH   TO   KENESAW — DALLAS. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  2^rd  we  resumed  our  march, 
our  Division  having  been  ordered  to  a  position  near  Dallas. 
We  advanced  by  way  of  the  Burnt  Hickory  and  Pumpkin 
Vine  Creek  roads.  We  here  lay  in  reserve  until  the  3Oth. 
The  Confederate  army  had  taken  a  strong  position  at  Dallas, 
and  gave  every  indication  of  an  intention  to  make  a  final 
stand.  Our  army  experienced  much  trouble  in  crossing 
the  Ktowah,  and  in  getting  into  position,  but  all  this  was 
accomplished  in  due  time.  On  the  27th,  our  Division  was 
placed  in  line,  relieving  General  Wood,  who  had  been  or- 
dered to  flank  the  enemy's  right. 

On  the  morning  of  the  3Oth  our  Brigade  was  ordered  to 
Kingston,  as  escort  for  the  Corps  wagon  train.  This  was  a 
change  of  duty  relished  by  some  of  the  boys,  but  not  by 
the  majority.  Notwithstanding  the  hardships,  exposure, 
and  danger,  most  of  the  boys  preferred  the  front.  While 
we. were  at  Kingston,  the  2ist  Illinois,  returning  from  their 
veteran  furlough,  rejoined  the  Brigade,  fresh  and  ready  for 
business.  At  length,  having  performed  our  duty  as  escort, 
we  rejoined  our  Division,  near  Ackworth,  June  yth. 

Comrade  Norman  Gregory,  of  Company  A,  was  killed 
at  Dallas,  May  3oth,  as  we  were  attempting  to  advance  our 
Division  line,  only  a  few  hours  before  we  were  withdrawn 
for  escort  duty. 


214  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

During  our  absence  the  enemy  had  been  hard  pressed  in 
the  vicinity  of  Dallas.  The  position  was  naturally  a  very 
strong  one — dangerous  and  difficult  of  direct  assault.  Stan- 
ley's Division,  excepting  our  own  Brigade,  had  relieved  a 
portion  of  Davis'  forces,  and  had  come  up  close  to  the  en- 
emy. The  fighting  along  Sherman's  center  and  left  was 
very  severe,  the  enemy  being  strongly  entrenched.  Find- 
ing the  Confederate  position  unusually  strong,  Sherman 
slowly  moved  his  army  to  the  left,  turning  Johnston's  right 
and  forcing  him  back  upon  New  Hope  Church.  On  the 
night  of  June  4th  the  Confederate  army  was  withdrawn, 
moving  in  the  direction  of  Big  Shanty,  a  few  miles  north 
of  Kenesaw.  General  Sherman  immediately  followed,  but 
did  not  assume  the  offensive  until  the  loth.  In  the  mean- 
time the  railroad  was  repaired  as  far  south  as  Ackworth, 
and  the  army  fully  supplied  with  rations  and  ammunition. 
It  was  during  this  period  of  rest  that  our  Brigade  returned 
from  escort  duty.  On  the  gth  of  June  the  38th  Illinois  re- 
joined the  Division,  having  returned  from  veteran  furlough. 

On  the  morning  of  June  loth,  Sherman's  entire  army 
was  again  in  line  ready  for  the  field.  General  Cruft,  who 
had  commanded  our  Brigade  thus  far  during  the  campaign, 
being  seriously  ill,  was  sent  back  to  Chattanooga  for  treat- 
ment. Colonel  Kirby  was  appointed  his  successor,  and  re- 
mained in  command  of  the  Brigade  until  the  close  of  the 
war.  Such  a  command  was  not  new  to  him,  for  on  several 
occasions,  and  for  a  considerable  time,  he  had  been  in  com- 
mand of  detachments  consisting  of  several  regiments  and 
charged  with  duties  delicate  and  responsible.  Cool  and 
collected,  he  had  already  proven  himself  reliable  under  cir- 
cumstances requiring  nerve,  decision,  and  pluck.  Indeed, 
there  were  few  in  the  army  who  were  clearer  headed  than 
he,  under  fire,  or  in  close  quarters  of  any  kind.  While  we 
all  rejoiced  in  his  well-merited  promotion,  the  loist  boys 


KENESAW — PROMOTION   OF    COLONEL   KIRBY.          215 

felt  as  though  they  had  met  with  personal  loss.  Hitherto 
he  had  sustained  peculiar  relations  to  our  Regiment — now 
he  would  sustain  the  same  relation  to  all  the  regiments  of 
the  Brigade.  We  could  no  longer  be  his  "peculiar  people." 
Careful  and  prompt,  Colonel  Kirby  always  struck  quickly 
and  hard,  but  he  never  forgot  to  look  after  his  men,  and 
his  promotion  made  no  change  in  his  bearing  toward  the 
boys.  He  was  succeeded  in  the  command  of  the  Regiment 
by  Lieutenant  Colonel  McDonald,  who  continued  to  be  our 
Commander  until  the  close  of  the  war. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

KENESAW. 

Our  Brigade,  under  Colonel  Kirby,  took  advance  of  our 
Division  in  the  campaign  which  ended  in  the  expulsion  of 
the  enemy  from  Kenesaw.  Starting  at  7  o'clock  on  the 
morning  of  June  loth,  we  struck  the  rebel  skirmish  line 
within  an  hour.  They  were  soon  forced  back  upon  their 
main  line.  The  2ist  Illinois,  and  the  3ist  Indiana,  were 
deployed,  and  soon  became  hotly  engaged.  The  enemy 
were  driven  about  half  a  mile  when  our  line  was  halted  and 
strongly  barricaded.  We  were  in  front  of  the  enemy 
strongly  posted  on  Pine  Mountain.  Palmer  was  on  our 
left  and  Hooker  on  our  right.  Both  had  been  heavily 
skirmishing.  The  position  held  by  our  Brigade  was  an  ex- 
ceedingly important  one.  On  the  following  day  we  were 
moved  some  distance  to  the  left  and  relieved  a  portion  of 
Palmer's  Corps.  We  immediately  went  into  line,  and  were 
soon  ordered  to  advance  the  position  about  five  hundred 
yards.  On  account  of  the  wariness  of  the  enemy,  this 
could  not  be  done  until  dark.  The  night  was  gloomy  and 


2l6  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

wet — as  dark  as  Krebus.  Cautiously  feeling  our  way,  we 
advanced  our  line  and  strongly  intrenched  ourselves,  ready 
for  the  worst  in  the  morning.  The  general  movements  of 
Sherman's  army  on  the  loth  and  morning  of  the  nth  had 
developed  the  fact  that  the  enemy  was  in  our  front  in  full 
force,  his  lines  extending  from  Kenesaw  to  Pine  Mountain, 
and  thence  southwesterly  to  Lost  Mountain. 

On  the  discovery  of  this  fact,  General  Sherman  acted  with 
his  usual  promptness  and  decision.  General  McPherson 
was  ordered  to  advance  towards  Marietta,  moving  eastward 
of  the  railroad ;  General  Thomas  in  the  center,  was  to  move 
upon  Kenesaw  and  Pine  Mountain,  and  General  Schofield 
upon  Lost  Mountain.  General  Johnston's  lines  were  twelve 
miles  long — much  longer  than  he  could  properly  defend. 
McPherson's  movement  to  his  right  made  it  necessary  for 
the  rebel  commander  to  extend  his  lines  still  further  in  that 
direction. 

At  about  the  same  time  that  our  Brigade  advanced  and 
intrenched  its  lines  (June  nth),  our  entire  army  drewjnearer 
the  enemy,  and  was  prepared  for  mortal  combat.  For  two 
days  the  rain  had  fallen  almost  incessantly,  rendering  the 
roads— poor  at  best — almost  impassable.  The  country  in 
which  we  were  operating  was  badly  cut  up  with  ravines  and 
ridges,  rendering  the  movement  of  artillery  extremely  diffi- 
cult. 

General  Sherman's  plan  was  to  break  the  Confederate 
line  between  Kenesaw  and  Pine  Mountains,  then  roll  it 
back  each  way,  capturing  as  much  of  it  as  possible  and  de- 
moralizing the  rest. 

By  this  time  we  had  become  so  accustomed  to  skirmish 
firing  that  unless  we  were  in  the  line  actually  participating, 
we  scarcely  noticed  it.  Now  and  then,  when  it  became  un- 
usually severe,  the  boys  would  straighten  up,  make  some 
characteristic  remark  and  then  forget  all  about  it.  Not  so 


2l8  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

with  those  in  the  skirmish  line.  There  the  quick  eye  and 
ready  shot  were  exceedingly  necessary  to  good  health  and 
a  whole  skin.  No  soldier  on  either  side  was  so  foolish  as 
to  stand  bolt  upright,  when  a  tree,  a  log,  a  stump,  a  stone 
or  a  hole  in  the  ground,  or  anything  else,  would  afford  a 
.shelter.  Intrenching  tools  were  kept  constantly  on  hand, 
not  only  for  the  regiment  in  line,  but  to  be  used  as  occasion 
might  require  by  the  skirmishers.  Tens  of  thousands  of 
those  skirmish  pits  were  dug  both  by  the  blue  and  the  gray. 

Heavy  skirmishing  continued  on  the  i2th,  i3thand  i4th, 
our  lines  having  been  advanced  about  fifty  yards  on  the 
1 2th.  The  enemy's  position  in  our  front  seemed  to  be  ex- 
ceedingly strong.  Every  approach  was  carefully  guarded, 
and  it  was  worth  a  skirmisher's  life  to  show  his  head. 
Gradually  but  surely  the  Armies  of  the  Tennessee  and  the 
Ohio  were  closing  in  on  the  Confederate  flanks,  and  Thomas 
was  steadily  crowding  Johnston's  center.  The  Confederate 
Commander  soon  saw  that  his  line  was  too  long  and  that 
Sherman's  efforts  to  break  his  center  would  sooner  or  later 
succeed  unless  he  shortened  his  front.  He  decided  to  aban- 
don Pine  Mountain,  and  defend  a  line  extending  from  Lost 
Mountain  to  Kenesaw.  Preparatory  to  this  movement,  sev- 
eral Confederate  officers,  Johnston  and  Polk  among  them, 
were  observing  the  movements  of  Sherman's  army  from  the 
fortified  summit  of  Pine  Mountain,  when  a  shell  from  our 
Division  battery,  the  5th  Indiana,  exploded  in  their  midst, 
instantly  killing  General  Polk.  That  night  Johnston  with- 
drew his  lines,  abandoning  this  strong  position.  Not  being 
aware  of  this  fact,  we  pressed  our  lines  forward  very  early 
next  morning  and  soon  found  ourselves  within  their  works. 

The  position  of  the  enemy  was  soon  developed  and  our 
lines  made  to  conform  to  the  new  order  of  things.  Our 
own  Brigade,  formed  in  two  lines,  three  battalions  front, 
took  its  place  under  a  galling  fire,  established  its  skirmish 


KENESAW — DEATH    OF   CAPTAIN   SIMONSON.  219 

line  and  Held  its  ground.  Under  heavy  fire,  a  portion  of 
our  skirmish  line  extending  across  an  open  space,  was  in- 
trenched. This  work  was  commenced  and  prosecuted  with 
great  bravery  by  the  3ist  Indiana  and  a  portion  of  the  goth 
Ohio,  and  completed  by  the  loist.  To  accomplish  this  re- 
quired the  constant  exhibition  of  unadulterated  pluck. 

This  line  was  established  right  up  to  the  line  of  abatis  in 
front  of  the  enemy's  works  and  within  clear,  short  range  of 
their  rifles. 

It  was  accomplished  by  deploying  two  light  lines  of 
skirmishers.  Bach  man  in  the  front  line  was  provided  with 
a  short  block  cut  from  a  pine  log,  which  he  could  readily 
handle,  and  each  man  in  the  rear  line  had  a  thick  brush, 
with  the  stick  sharpened  so  as  to  be  easily  thrust  into  the 
ground.  The  first  man  advanced  crawling  on  his  stomach 
and  rolling  his  log  before  him,  his  comrade  following  with 
his  brush  as  soon  as  the  designated  line  was  reached.  The 
brush  was  set  up  in  front  of  the  log  to  obscure  the  sight  of 
the  enemy's  riflemen,  and  the  boys  lying  prostrate  fell  to 
scraping  out  an  intrenchment.  Thus  three  regiments  were 
quickly  and  firmly  established  under  the  very  noses  of  the 
enemy. 

Captain  Simonson,  Chief  of  Artillery  for  the  Corps,  see- 
ing our  position,  came  forward  and  said  he  would  like  to 
get  a  battery  up  there,  if  possible.  Colonel  Kirby  told  him 
that  if  he  would  indicate  the  position  he  would  like  to 
occupy,  he  would  aid  him  in  preparing  it.  While  standing 
side  by  side  marking  the  desired  position,  a  rifle  ball  struck 
the  Captain  in  the  forehead,  killing  him  instantly.  His 
death  caused  great  grief  throughout  the  entire  Corps,  as  he 
was  recognized  as  most  eminently  successful  in  his  depart- 
ment. About  this  time  General  Hooker's  Adjutant  General 
came  up  and  said  that  General  Hooker  had  been  informed 
of  the  position  we  had  gained,  but  had  declared  it  impos- 


220  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

sible  for  any  troops  to  hold  it,  and  had  directed  his  Adju- 
tant to  ride  forward  and  make  inquiries.  Colonel  Kirby 
suggested  that  he  report  to  General  Hooker  that  there  were 
troops  which  could  gain,  occupy  and  hold  just  such  a  posi- 
tion. During  the  night  the  Brigade  Commander,  with 
Colonel  Yoeman,  of  the  goth  Ohio,  was  constantly  on  the 
picket  line.  Shortly  before  3  o'clock  in  the  morning  they 
became  satisfied  that  something  unusual  was  going  on  with- 
in the  enemy's  lines.  They  very  cautiously  moved  forward 
with  the  picket  line  into  the  dense  abatis,  and,  as  they  ad- 
vanced, became  more  and  more  convinced  that  a  movement 
of  some  kind  was  being  made  by  the  enemy.  Orders  were 
sent  back  for  the  battle  line  to  advance  boldly,  and  at  pre- 
cisely 3  o'clock  we  were  over  the  enemy's  works  and  on  the 
heels  of  their  retiring  lines.  We  were  the  first  of  our  force 
to  gain  the  inside  of  the  rebel  works. 

The  Confederates  had  again  fallen  back,  still  further 
shortening  and  strengthening  their  lines.  The  stubbornness 
with  which  Johnston  defended  his  outposts  and  the  care 
with  which  he  shortened  and  strengthened  his  front,  indi- 
cated that  he  had  resolved  to  make  this  position  his  last 
ditch. 

During  the  afternoon  our  Brigade  advanced  a  mile  and 
a  half,  taking  position  on  a  commanding  ridge  on  the  right 
of  General  Gross.  The  enemy's  skirmishers  had  been  found 
and  the  usual  firing  resumed.  Later  in  the  afternoon  we 
were  marched  to  our  left  and  assigned  a  position,  support- 
ing the  right  Brigade  of  General  Newton's  Division,  our  va- 
cated position  on  the  ridge  being  occupied  by  General 
Beatty's  Brigade. 

The  general  movement  of  our  army  on  the  i4th,  which 
resulted  in  the  enemy's  abandonment  of  Pine  Mountain,  was 
such  as  to  cause  Johnston  much  concern.  On  our  extreme 
left,  McPherson  pushed  hard  and  with  commendable  success. 


IN    FRONT   OF    KENKSAW.  221 

A  portion  of  General  Leggett's  Division  captured  a  spur  of 
hills,  taking  many  prisoners  and  securing  a  position  for  our 
artillery,  which  resulted  in  the  enemy  withdrawing  a  por- 
tion of  his  line  to  healthier  quarters.  Our  own  extreme 
right,  the  Army  of  the  Ohio,  was  pounding  vigorously  and 
successfully.  The  Confederate  Commander  was  still  cling- 
ing to  Lost  Mountain,  though  in  doing  so  he  greatly  weak- 
ened his  line  between  that  and  Gilgal  Church.  Leaving 
Stoneman  to  look  after  Lost  Mountain — which  he  did  in  an 
admirable  manner — General  Schofield  directed  his  attention 
to  the  weak  point  of  the  Confederate  line  to  the  west  of  Gilgal. 

On  the  morning  of  the  1 8th,  our  Division  lines  were  ad- 
vanced about  a  half  mile,  our  Brigade  supporting  General 
Newton's  right,  but  at  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  we  went 
into  position  in  the  front  line,  joining  General  Wood's  left. 
During  the  night  of  the  iyth,  seeing  that  the  persistence  of 
our  center  and  right  must  soon  destroy  his  left,  General 
Johnston  ordered  the  abandonment  of  Lost  Mountain  and 
the  weak  lines  connecting  it  with  Gilgal  Church.  This  hu- 
miliating move  must  have  cost  the  proud  rebel  a  severe 
pang.  And  yet  it  is  said  that  he  took  great  pride  in  being 
able  to  withdraw  without  our  knowing  it.  Certainly  he  was 
an  expert  in  such  matters. 

The  rebel  Commander  was  in  hard  luck.  Having  let  go 
of  Lost  Mountain,  he  tried  to  establish  his  left  behind  Noyes 
Creek.  We  fought  him  there  on  the  i8th,  while  the  Army 
of  the  Ohio  menaced  his  flank.  His  left  was  practically  in 
the  air,  and  he  did  the  only  safe  thing — he  again  withdrew 
on  the  night  of  the  1 8th  and  took  a  strong  position  at  Kene- 
saw.  It  was  now  Sherman's  chance  to  make  a  mistake, 
which  he  at  once  proceeded  to  do.  McPherson  was  well 
around  to  the  east  of  Kenesaw ;  Thomas  was  in  front  of  it 
and  in  fine  condition  ;  Schofield  was  hard  by  on  Thomas' 
right ;  Stoneman  was  well  mounted,  and  there  was  no  rea- 


222  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

son  why  Thomas'  suggestion  to  flank  Kenesaw  by  a  move- 
ment to  our  right  should  not  have  been  adopted.  But  Sher- 
man was  full  of  fight,  and  possibly  hoped  to  destroy  John- 
ston and  end  the  campaign  right  there.  At  any  rate,  the 
flank  movement  was  not  to  be  made. 

The  heavy  down-pour  of  rain  in  the  afternoon  of  the 
1 8th  made  our  movements  on  the  morning  of  the  igih  quite 
difficult.  But  at  that  stage  of  the  game  nothing  short  of 
death  or  an  exceedingly  severe  wound  was  accepted  as  an 
excuse  for  not  being  in  line.  With  the  dawn  we  were  in 
motion,  preceeded  by  a  very  strong  skirmish  line.  Steadily 
we  pressed  forward,  driving  everything  before  us  until  we 
struck  the  rebel  intrenched  lines  at  Kenesaw.  Kirby's 
Brigade  was  on  the  right  of  our  Division  front,  Whitaker  in 
the  center  and  Gross  on  the  left.  The  free  use  of  musket 
and  cannon  was  resorted  to  on  both  sides  during  the  entire 
day,  and  especially  in  the  afternoon  as  we  neared  the 
enemy's  main  works.  A  number  of  our  boys  were  wounded 
and  the  work  in  hand  assumed  an  unusually  important 
character.  It  was  very  evident  that  a  life  and  death  strug- 
gle must  soon  ensue.  Our  entire  Division  front  was 
strongly  intrenched  that  night. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

BAI,D    KNOB. 

The  next  morning,  Monday,  June  2oth,  brought  with  it 
severe  work  for  Kirby's  Brigade,  and,  indeed,  for  Stanley's 
entire  Division.  The  hostile  main  lines  were  distant  from 
each  other  about  eight  hundred  yards,  each  having  a  strong 
skirmish  line  in  its  front,  constantly  on  the  alert  to  check, 
and,  if  possible,  prevent,  any  forward  move  of  the  other. 


JOHN  A.  ROBERTS, 

COMPANY  C. 

From  photograph  taken  in  1894. 


224  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

Between  these  main  lines  lay  a  high  hill,  conical  in  shape, 
almost  destitute  of  timber,  and  known  as  Bald  Knob.  It 
was  directly  in  front  of  our  Brigade,  and  was  strongly  held 
by  the  enemy  as  a  most  important  advanced  position.  To 
the  left  of  this,  and  in  Whitaker's  front,  was  a  similar  hill, 
though  not  so  high,  nor  strongly  held.  Between  these  hills 
the  ground  was  low  and  somewhat  swampy. 

Our  skirmishers  were  wide  awake  and  hotly  engaged. 
The  sullen  boom  of  cannon  could  be  heard  to  right  and  left 
of  us  as  the  brave  boys  of  the  National  line  sought  closer 
contact  with  the  enemy.  The  angry  voice  of  our  own  Di- 
vision Artillery  screamed  and  yelled  across  the  intervening 
space  only  to  wake  the  noisy  dogs  of  war  on  the  other  side. 
In  the  afternoon  the  situation  grew  still  more  serious  and 
we  stood  to  arms  for  desperate  work.  Whitaker  assaulted 
and  carried  the  hill  in  his  front,  and  held  it  against  the  re- 
peated attempts  of  the  enemy  to  dislodge  him.  At  the 
same  time,  our  Brigade  skirmish  line,  commanded  by  Major 
Angle  of  the  goth  Ohio,  charged  recklessly  up  the  side  of 
Bald  Knob  and  actually  captured  the  stronghold.  This 
charge  was  born  of  the  yells  and  excitement  of  Whitaker's 
men,  and  had  not  been  ordered  by  anyone.  Before  support 
could  be  sent  them,  they  were  heavily  assaulted  and  com- 
pelled to  retire.  As  they  fell  back  they  were  met  by  Gen- 
eral Kirby  in  person,  who  quickly  readjusted  and  reinforced 
the  line,  and  ordered  a  second  assault  upon  the  hill.  Most 
gallantly  and  successfully  was  this  assault  made.  The  hill 
was  cleared,  the  position  was  ours,  for  we  had  twice  cap- 
tured it.  But  there  was  no  support  on  our  right — Kirby's 
Brigade  being  the  extreme  right  of  Stanley's  Division.  With- 
out support  on  this  flank,  the  position  on  the  summit  of 
Bald  Knob  could  not  be  held.  Constantly  from  the  bat- 
teries on  the  Confederate  main  line  there  came  up  screeching 
shell  and  solid  shot,  while  from  their  driven  skirmish 


BALD    KNOB.  225 

line,  now  reinforced  and  turned  at  bay,  there  rained  upon  us 
a  fearful  storm  of  binging  lead.  To  most  of  this  we  were 
able  to  respond  most  effectively.  On  the  right  as  our  line 
charged  up  the  hill,  a  densely  wooded  ravine  was  passed, 
into  which  the  enemy  immediately  threw  a  strong  force, 
which  at  once  assaulted  our  flank  and  right-rear.  This, 
with  the  terrific  fire  in  front,  rendered  our  position  wholly 
untenable,  and  we  were  obliged  to  retire. 

It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  only  our  skirmish  line 
had  thus  far  been  engaged — the  Brigade,  as  an  organization, 
had  not  left  the  main  line,  and  at  the  close  of  the  action 
described  above  our  skirmishers  resumed  the  pits,  out  of 
which  they  had  madly  dashed  an  hour  before.  Our  Division 
main  line  wras  everywhere  intact,  and  our  own  Brigade 
front  had  not  been  even  slightly  endangered.  Even  the 
Confederate  skirmish  line  did  not  venture  beyond  their  rifle 
pits  on  the  summit  of  the  Knob.  The  left  of  our  Brigade 
had  been  swung  slightly  forward,  in  support  of  Whitaker's 
advanced  position. 

General  Stanley  was  with  our  Brigade  during  the  latter 
part  of  the  conflict,  and  had  witnessed  the  struggle  of  our 
skirmishers  for  the  possession  of  the  Hill.  This  was  in  ac- 
cordance with  his  custom.  Wherever  help  was  needed,  or 
the  fight  was  thickest,  there  Stanley,  brave,  true,  generous, 
big-hearted  Stanley  was  sure  to  be  found.  Soon  after  the 
affair  was  all  over,  General  Howard  rode  up  and  demanded 
to  know  why  the  hill  had  not  been  held.  The  situation  was 
fully  explained  to  him, 

(<  General,"  said  Kirby,  "order  troops  forward  to  cover 
the  woods  and  I  will  again  take  and  will  hold  Bald  Knob." 

"  How  long  will  it  take  you  to  get  ready  for  the  assault  ?" 
inquired  Howard. 

"  I  am  ready  now,  sir,"  said  Kirby,  saluting  and  motion- 
ing with  his  sword  toward  his  men,  who  were  more  than 


226  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

ready  for  the  fray.  But  for  reasons  best  known  to  himself, 
Howard  did  not  act  on  Kirby's  suggestion,  and  no  further 
assault  was  made  that  evening. 

Darkness  soon  falling,  the  strife  ended,  and  the  field  of 
conflict  became  quiet,  broken  only  by  the  vigilance  of  the 
vSkirmish-picket  line.  Keen  eyes,  and  many  thousands  of 
them,  peered  into  the  darkness  from  our  side  along  the 
entire  National  front,  and  on  the  other  side,  equal  thousands 
peered  our  way.  These  faithful  sentinels  watched  and 
guarded  while  the  main  line  rested  and  slept.  So  sharp  was 
this  watchfulness  that  even  apparent  danger  was  sure  to 
wake  the  musket,  and  almost  instantly  shot  would  answer 
shot,  soon  to  die  away  again  into  silence  deep  and  suggestive 
of  the  coming  storm. 

The  night  following  the  first  assault  on  Bald  Knob  was 
spent  quietly  and  peacefully  as  any  since  we  had  come 
under  the  frown  of  Kenesaw.  Our  main  line  was  in  splen- 
did shape,  well  posted,  strongly  intrenched,  confident  and 
brim  full  of  enthusiasm.  During  the  night,  however,  the 
Confederates  had  brought  several  batteries — at  least  thirty 
guns — on  their  main  line  to  bear  on  the  Knob,  hoping  to 
render  it  absolutely  untenable,  .should  we  again  succeed  in 
capturing  it. 

At  dawn  of  the  2ist  the  hosts  on  either  side  \vere  in  line 
awaiting  developments.  Detachments  of  troops  were  moved 
here  and  there ;  the  skirmish  line  was  strengthened  almost 
to  the  proportions  of  a  battle  line;  orderlies  wrere  sent  off  in 
various  directions ;  officers  were  scanning  the  front  through 
their  field  glasses ;  ammunition  was  distributed,  batteries 
were  stationed  to  sweep  the  entire  front — in  short,  every- 
thing betokened  an  important  move  immediately  to  be 
made. 

At  11:30  o'clock  General  Kirby  was  ordered  to  prepare 
to  assault  the  stronghold  in  his  front.  He  was  to  drive  the 


BALD    KNOB.  227 

enemy  from  the  Knob,  fortify  and  hold  it  against  all  comers. 
The  artillery  of  our  own  Division  and  a  portion  of  Wood's 
was  ordered  to  concentrate  their  fire  upon  the  enemy  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  point  to  be  assaulted.  At  12:30  Kirby  re- 
ported that  his  Brigade,  accompanied  by  the  Pioneer  Corps, 
was  ready  to  advance.  Immediately  the  noisy  music  began, 
and  for  fifteen  minutes  the  very  heavens  seemed  palsied  with 
the  roar  of  cannon  and  shriek  of  shell.  Responding,  the 
Confederates  opened  every  battery  in  position,  sending  us 
shell  for  shell  and  shot  for  shot. 

In  the  midst  of  this  terrific  duel  the  word  was  passed 
along  the  line, — we  were  to  assault,  capture  and  hold  the  hill. 
Steadily  but  irresistibly  we  were  to  push  on,  no  matter  who 
nor  how  many  might  fall.  The  pioneers  were  to  accom- 
pany us  to  build  intrenchments,  while  we  with  musket  and 
bayonet  should  keep  the  enemy  out  of  their  way. 

Steadily,  grandly,  the  old  Brigade,  at  the  command  of 
General  Kirby,  moved  out,  with  either  flank  thrown  back 
to  accommodate  the  line  to  the  peculiar  formation  of  the 
ground.  On  our  right  Colonel  Nodine  of  Wood's  Division 
threw  forward  two  Regiments,  the  i5th  and  49th  Ohio,  to 
cover  our  flank,  and  placed  a  battery  in  position  to  plow  the 
Confederate  skirmish  line.  On  our  left  Whitaker's  men 
were  in  line  and  his  batteries  still  in  action.  In  our  own 
front  was  the  hill,  crowned  with  frowning  rifle  pits  and 
fringed  with  gleaming  steel. 

As  we  moved  out  and  up  the  hill,  the  thundering  of  our 
artillery  ceased,  our  flanks  obliqued  into  position,  and  with 
cheers  and  yells  we  pushed  for  the  top,  nor  stopped  till  the 
last  rebel  had  taken  to  inglorious  flight  or  had  fallen  into 
our  hands.  Our  charge  had  been  furious  and  successful. 
But  instantly  we  became  the  target  for  the  concentrated  fire 
of  the  main  line  Confederate  batteries.  A  defensive  line 
was  immediately  chosen,  our  frbnt  made  to  conform  to  it, 


228  STORY    OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

and  under  the  most  terrible  artillery  fire  imaginable,  our 
pioneers  fortified  the  position  with  the  utmost  gallantry. 
As  an  evidence  of  the  severity  of  this  fire,  it  may  be  stated 
that  General  Kirby  was  struck  five  times  with  pieces  of 
shell  within  half  an  hour.  One  fragment  tore  the  skin  from 
the  back  of  his  bridle  hand,  another  tore  the  clothes  from 
his  left  side,  another  tore  the  left  stirrup  off  and  ripped  the 
sole  from  his  boot.  How  any  one  escaped  death  or  wound- 
ing seems  a  mystery. 

Soon  after  the  summit  had  been  captured,  General 
Howard  came  up  and  ordered  that  every  effort  be  made  to 
hold  the  position.  At  General  Kirby 's  request  the  5th 
Indiana  Battery,  which  had  been  with  us  in  many  a  severe 
action,  and  in  which  we  had  unbounded  confidence,  was  sent 
forward  to  us  and  immediately  went  into  effective  action. 
Heavy  firing  continued  all  day  and  during  much  of  the 
night.  The  position  we  now  held  was  a  most  important 
one,  overlooking  a  portion  of  the  Confederate  works.  Our 
success  had  enabled  Howard  to  advance  his  main  line  near- 
ly 500  yards;  Hooker,  on  Thomas's  right,  had  pushed  for- 
ward nearly  700  yards,  and  our  left  was  holding  on  like 
grim  death,  gradually  creeping  nearer  to  Marietta  and  the 
rear  of  Kenesaw. 

Speaking  of  the  work  of  the  pioneers,  General  Kirby 
said:  "  My  pioneers,  particularly,  won  my  admiration  on 
this  occasion  by  their  almost  superhuman  efforts  and  great 
gallantry." 

At  3  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  23d,  having  held 
Bald  Knob  during  the  22d,  we  were  relieved  and  ordered 
one  mile  to  the  right,  where,  relieving  other  troops,  we  went 
into  the  front  line  about  daylight  and  immediately  began 
skirmishing  with  the  enemy.  Toward  evening  we  charged 
them,  drove  them  back  and  fortified  our  new  position. 
All  this  brilliant  fighting  was  dulled  by  the  incessant  rain- 


EPHRAIM   BAKER, 

COMPANY   C. 

From  photograph. 


230  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST  OHIO. 

fall,  the  unfathomable  mud  and  the  deep  gloom  that  brooded 
over  the  desolate  region  in  which  we  were  campaigning. 

General  Howard,  speaking  of  the  assaults  of  the  2oth, 
wrote  as  follows  to  General  Thomas: 

NEAR  KENESAW  MOUNTAIN,  June  20,  '64. 

General  Thomas:  General  Stanley  succeeded  in  carrying  the 
hills  in  his  immediate  front.  Driving  the  enemy  out  of  his  skirmish 
rifle  pits,  he  advanced  close  up  to  the  enemy's  works  and  made  a 
cover  in  Whitaker's  front.  *  *  *  Colonel  Kirby  had  not  estab- 
lished a  main  line  on  the  hill  he  took,  and  his  skirmish  line  was 
driven  back  a  short  distance.  This,  however,  can  be  easily  retaken, 
as  it  is  under  the  fire  of  Wood's  batteries. 

O.  O.  HOWARD. 

The  following  congratulatory  order,  referring  to  the  work 
of  the  2ist,  was  issued  by  General  Stanley.  We  appreciated 
it  at  the  time,  and  certainly  do  so  yet. 

HEADQUARTERS  IST  DIVISION  4TH  A.  C., 

KENESAW  MT.,  GEORGIA,  June  21,  1864. 

Colonel  Kirby:  General  Thomas  has  been  notified  by  General 
Howard  of  your  success  in  charging  and  holding  the  Hill  (Bald 
Knob)  in  your  front  to-day,  and  in  a  note  to  General  Howard  ex- 
pressed his  gratification  and  thanks  to  the  troops  for  the  work  they 
have  done. 

Please  communicate  to  your  command  the  thanks  of  Generals 
Thomas  and  Stanley  lor  the  success  they  have  achieved. 
I  am,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  H.  SINCLAIR,  A.  A.  G. 

It  was  at  this  stage  of  the  conflict  that  Sherman  was 
compelled  to  decide  between  a  direct  assault  and  a  flank 
movement.  Fearing  that  his  own  army,  as  well  as  that  of 
the  enemy,  might  conclude  that  he  would  not  assail  a  forti- 
fied position,  he  decided  not  to  flank,  but  to  assault.  His 
lieutenants,  notably  General  Thomas,  strongly  advised  other- 
wise. But  he  had  reached  a  conclusion,  and  the  army,  al- 
ways loyal,  settled  down  to  business.  During  the  24th  and 
25th  we  continued  to  hold  the  ridge  which  we  had  captured 
on  the  23d. 


THE   STORMING   OF    KENESAW.  231 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

THE    STORMING   OF    KENESAW. 

On  the  23rd  of  June,  Sherman  issued  his  final  orders  for 
the  assault  upon  Kenesaw.  This  was  to  be  made  at  two 
points — one  upon  L,ittle  Kenesaw  by  McPherson,  the  other 
upon  Kenesaw  proper  by  Thomas.  These  assaults  were  to 
be  made  on  Monday  the  27th,  three  days  after  the  orders 
were  issued. 

The  morning  of  the  2yth  dawned  clear,  bright  and  warm. 
Our  own  Division  front  had  been  selected  as  the  point  from 
which  Great  Kenesaw  was  to  be  stormed,  but  our  Division 
was  not  to  make  the  attack.  We  were  to  act  as  sup- 
port, while  General  Newton's  Division  assailed.  The  hour 
fixed  for  the  assault  was  8  A.  M.  General  Gross'  Brigade 
was  to  hold  our  breastworks,  while  Kirby's  and  Whitaker's 
Brigades  advanced  with  the  charging  column.  The  line  of 
our  breastworks  was  within  musket  range  of  the  enemy. 
When,  therefore,  Newton's  Division  formed  for  the  assault, 
it  immediately  drew  down  upon  itself  and  us  the  concen- 
trated fire  of  the  rebels.  The  whole  side  of  the  mountain 
seemed  to  burst  out  in  flame  and  smoke.  Many  in  the  as- 
saulting column,  and  not  a  few  of  our  own  men  were  struck 
down  while  forming.  Not  a  moment  was  wasted,  not  a  man 
hesitated.  The  order  to  charge  was  given;  the  men  leaped 
forward  and  rushed  and  clambered  and  climbed  up  the  sides 
of  the  mountain,  which  seemed  to  shake  and  fairly  quake 
beneath  the  shock  of  cannon  in  full  roar  from  base  to  sum- 
mit. Bravely  our  men  struggled  forward,  but  the  odds  were 
against  them  from  the  start.  The  dense  mass  of  felled  trees 
and  brush  covering  a  space  at  least  two  hundred  yards  wide  ; 
the  very  strong  line  of  chevaux-de-frise  lining  the  ditches  in 
front  of  their  works ;  the  general  entanglement  of  obstruc- 


232  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

tions,  and  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  both  front  and  flank,  made 
success  impossible.  Our  own  Brigade  followed  closely,  and 
participated  in  the  awful  contest.  Braver  men  than  New- 
ton's never  wore  the  blue  ;  but  neither  they,  nor  we,  nor 
any  other  troops,  could  succeed  under  such  circumstances. 
The  assault  failed,  and  with  thinned  and  bleeding  ranks  we 
fell  back  to  the  cover  of  our  breastworks.  Our  Division 
loss  was  one  hundred  killed  and  wounded.  Newton's  much 
more.  But  the  enemy  had  been  severely  punished  also. 
They  remained  in  their  works,  and  showered  iron  and  lead 
upon  us  in  wonderful  abundance.  While  this  assault  was 
being  made,  our  batteries  along  the  entire  line,  from  Scho- 
field's  right  to  McPherson's  left,  belched  and  bellowed. 

McPherson's  assault  on  Little  Kenesaw  met  with  no  bet- 
ter success.  It  was  all  a  great  mistake,  the  responsibility  of 
which  Sherman  took  wholly  upon  himself. 

During  the  assault  on  Kenesaw,  so  heavy  and  low  had 
been  the  fire  of  the  enemy's  artillery  that  soon  after  the 
close  of  the  awful  struggle  the  leaves  and  brushwood  took 
fire,  seriously  endangering  our  wounded,  who  lay  everywhere 
from  our  lines  clear  up  to  the  enemy's  parapets.  By  one 
common  and  humane  impulse,  hostilities  ceased,  and  the 
rebels,  throwing  down  their  arms,  joined  our  boys  in  man- 
ning the  stretchers  to  bear  our  wounded  to  our  lines. 

Following  this  unsuccessful  assault,  we  lay  comparatively 
quiet  until  the  morning  of  the  2nd  of  July.  Bven  the 
picket  firing  was  light  during  this  time.  Both  armies 
seemed  to  be  resting.  On  the  28th,  by  mutual  agreement, 
we  buried  our  dead,  who  had  fallen  near  the  rebel  works. 
The  same  privilege  was  granted  the  enemy,  whose  loss  in 
front  of  Hooker,  on  the  afternoon  of  the  26th,  and  the 
morning  of  the  27th,  was  quite  serious — Hood,  with  his 
usual  impetuosity,  having,  on  his  own  responsibility,  fallen 
heavily  and  unsuccessfully  upon  our  lines  in  that  part  of  the 


KENESAW — THE    ENEMY    ROUTED.  233 

field.  His  loss  in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners  amounted 
to  about  one  thousand. 

The  old  order  of  things  seemed  to  be  resumed  July  2nd; 
indeed,  on  the  ist  there  was  much  heavy  firing.  Our  army 
was  again  bestirring  itself.  The  weather  had  been  fine  for 
several  days,  and  was  becoming  very  hot.  On  the  afternoon 
•of  the  2nd  we  moved  some  distance  to  the  left  and  relieved 
a  portion  of  General  Newton's  Division. 

General  Johnston,  seeing  that  he  could  not  break  up 
Sherman's  lines  that  were  gradually  closing  round  him,  and 
especially  fearing  a  flank  movement  on  our  part  that  might 
cut  the  railroad  south  of  him,  decided  to  fall  back.  This 
he  accomplished  on  the  night  of  the  2nd  and  the  morning 
of  the  3rd.  Doubtless  Johnston  had  in  some  manner  learned 
that  Sherman  had  decided  to  withdraw  McPherson  from 
the  Left  and  transfer  him  to  our  extreme  Right,  leaving 
Thomas  where  he  was,  with  a  view  to  turn  him  away  from 
Kenesaw.  Indeed,  such  a  movement  on  the  part  of  our 
troops  was  in  process  of  execution,  when,  on  the  morning  of 
the  3rd,  word  was  brought  that  the  enemy  had  fallen  back 
and  that  our  skirmishers  (Thomas' )  were  already  in  posses- 
sion of  their  works.  If  this  flank  movement  had  been  or- 
dered before  the  2yth,  many  precious  lives  might  have  been 
saved.  Pursuit  was  at  once  ordered,  and  our  Brigade, 
marching  through  Marietta,  encamped  at  night  near  the 
Confederate  lines,  five  miles  south  of  the  town,  having 
skirmished  with  the  rear  guard  since  early  morning.  Our 
army  took  many  prisoners — our  Brigade  its  full  share. 

On  the  morning  of  July  4th  we  advanced  in  very 
strong  lines,  compelling  the  enemy  to  give  way,  and  finally 
driving  him  out  of  his  skirmish-pits.  The  Confederates 
proved  so  exceedingly  stubborn  that  at  night  we  strongly 
entrenched  ourselves,  expecting  serious  work  next  morning. 
In  this  we  were  to  be  happily  disappointed. 


O  5 

h-  "£ 
^    E 


V 


RUFF'S    STATION    ABANDONED.  235 

Though  his  present  position  (near  Ruff's  Station)  was  a 
very  strong  one  and  well  fortified,  yet  Johnston  decided  not 
to  attempt  to  hold  it  on  account  of  the  ease  with  which  it 
could  be  flanked.  He  therefore  decided  to  withdraw.  He 
was  forced  to  this  conclusion  by  the  promptness  with  which 
Sherman  had  followed  him  from  Kenesaw  and  the  closeness 
with  which  our  lines  enveloped  him.  On  the  night  of  July 
4th  and  the  morning  of  the  5th  he  retired,  crossing  a  large 
part  of  his  army  to  the  south  side  of  the  Chattahoochee 
river,  but  strongly  holding  the  northern  approaches  to  the 
railroad  and  wagon  bridges.  The  apparent  ease  with  which 
the  Confederate  Commander  withdrew  his  forces  from  the 
immediate  and  hostile  front  of  his  antagonist,  marked  him 
as  an  expert  in  such  matters. 

The  campaign,  since  we  crossed  the  Oostanaula,  May 
1 6th  to  July  5th,  had  been  very  severe — quite  different,  in 
many  respects  from  any  experience  we  had  hitherto  had. 
During  the  last  half  the  rain  had  fallen  almost  incessantly, 
rendering  military  operations  extremely  difficult.  But  we 
had  managed  to  keep  close  up  to  the  enemy,  and  had  been 
almost  constantly  under  fire.  The  prolonged  rains  caused 
considerable  sickness,  though,  all  things  considered,  the 
health  of  the  Regiment  was  quite  satisfactory.  To  Colonel 
Kirby's  good  sense,  sound  judgment  and  unremitting  care, 
we  were  indebted  on  many  accounts.  Early  in  the  war 
each  commanding  officer  seemed  to  measure  his  own  great- 
ness by  the  length  of  his  list  of  killed  and  wounded.  Not 
so  later — never  so  with  Colonel  Kirby.  He  was  never 
known  to  flinch,  nor  hesitate  in  obedience  of  orders — was 
always  ready — but  never  forgot  his  "boys,"  as  he  still  affec- 
tionately calls  us,  and  so  conducted  his  movements  as  to 
avoid  any  unnecessary  exposure.  The  boys  knew  this 
and  honored  him  for  it  then — they  almost  worship  him 
now. 


236  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

Our  losses  at  Kenesaw  are  given  below  : 


Comrade  Captain  Wilton  N.  Ebersole,  Commanding   Company  K. 

Mortally  wounded  in  charge  upon  Kenesaw,  June  27;  died  in 

Chattanooga,  July  12,  '64. 
Comrade  Jotham  A.  Curtis,  Company  D.    Mortally  wounded  in  charge 

upon  Kenesaw,  June  17;  died  in  Nashville,  Aug.  15,  '64. 
Comrade  Nicholas  Myers,  Company  G.     Instantty  killed  in  front  of 

Kenesaw,  June  20,  '64. 
Comrade  Leroy  Mullenix,  Company  G.     Mortally  wounded  July  4, 

near  Ruff's  Station  ;  died  in  field  hospital,  July  25,  '64. 
Comrade   Edwin   C.  Pomeroy,  Company  B.     Mortally  wounded  June 

21  in  front  of  Kenesaw  ;  died  at  Chattanooga,  June  30,  '64. 
Comrade  John    H.    Rickey,    Company  D.     Mortally   wounded  near 

Kenesaw,  June  20  ;  died  at  Big  Shanty,  Georgia,  June  22,  '64. 
Comrade  Nicholas  Broshire,  Company  I.     Mortally  wounded  in  as- 

sault upon  Kenesaw,  June  27  ;  died  at  Chattanooga,  July  6,  '64. 
Comrade  Jacob  Blosser,  Company  K.     Killed  on  the  picket  line  on 

Bald  Knob,  near  Kenesaw,  June  20,  '64. 

WOUNDED. 
Comrade  Gideon  D.  Webb,  Company  A.    Wounded   in   assault  upon 

Kenesaw,  June  27,  '64. 
Comrade  Dennis  Mullen,  Company  B.     Wounded  in  front  of  Kene- 

saw, June  23,  '64. 
Comrade  William  Cox,   Company   E.     Wounded  in  front  of  Kene- 

saw, Jnne  23,  '64. 
Comrade  Jeremiah  Ritter,  Company  E.     Wounded  in  assault  upon 

Kenesaw,  June  27,  '64. 
Comrade   Henry  T.  Layman,  Company  E.      Wounded   in   front  of 

Kenesaw,  June  23,  '64. 
Comrade  Chas.  C.  J.   Hilgendorf,  Company  E.     Wounded  in  front 

Kenesaw,  June  23,  '64. 
Comrade  Michael  Stump,  Company  F.     Wounded  in  assault  upon 

Kenesaw,  June  27,  '64. 
Comrade  Daniel  Huber,  Company  I.     Wounded  in  front  of  Kene- 

saw, June  20,  '64. 
Comrade  John  W.  Dicken,  Company  K.     Wounded  in  assault  upon 

Kenesaw,  June  27,  '64. 
Comrade  Rufus  H.  Slaymaker,  Company  K.     Wounded  in  assault 

upon  Kenesaw,  June  27,  '64. 


CROSSING   THE   CHATTAHOOCHEE.  237 

Many  others  were  more  or  less  seriously  wounded  in  the 
many  fights  and  the  almost  constant  picket  firing.  But  the 
boys  became  so  accustomed  to  the  presence  of  danger  and 
to  reports  of  killed  and  wounded  that  little  attention  was 
paid  to  slight  wounds.  Dr.  T.  M.  Cook,  originally  our 
Regimental  Surgeon,  now  in  charge  of  the  Brigade  hospital, 
labored  diligently  in  season  and  out  to  relieve  the  sick  and 
wounded.  Decided,  prompt  and  efficient,  he  was  one  of  the 
most  valuable  officers  in  the  Medical  Department  of  our 
army.  He  was  always  with  the  Brigade,  or  as  near  to  it  as 
circumstances  would  permit.  Nor  was  he  among  those  who 
used  the  knife  indiscriminately.  Were  it  possible  to  save  a 
wounded  limb,  amputation  was  not  permitted.  The  boys 
all  felt  that  in  Dr.  Cook  they  had  a  faithful  and  competent 
friend. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

CROSSING   THE    CHATTAHOOCHEE. 

When  the  Confederate  Commander  abandoned  his  line 
of  intrenchments  at  Ruff's,  he  threw  the  larger  part  of  his 
army  across  the  Chattahoochee,  but  continued  to  hold  very 
strongly  the  northern  approaches  to  the  railroad  and  wagon 
bridges.  There  were  several  ferries  in  the  vicinity  which 
were  destroyed  as  soon  as  the  Confederates  had  crossed. 
Our  Corps,  moving  to  the  left  of  the  railroad,  came  upon  the 
rebels  at  Pace's  Ferry  just  as  they  had  finished  crossing 
and  had  cut  the  bridge,  a  portion  of  which  we  saved.  Our 
batteries  were  quickly  brought  into  position  and  a  vigorous 
fire  opened  on  the  enemy  on  the  opposite  shore.  Palmer, 
on  our  right,  was  not  so  fortunate,  and  Johnston  estab- 
lished himself  at  the  bridges,  as  stated  above.  Still  further 
to  our  right  Hooker  had  very  serious  difficulty  in  crossing 


238  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

the  Nickajack  Creek,  which,  indeed,  was  not  effected  until 
the  next  morning,  July  6th.  On  the  evening  of  the  6th  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland  faced  the  Chattahoochee  — 
Hooker  on  our  extreme  right,  Palmer  on  his  left,  facing 
the  bridge,  and  our  Corps — Stanley's — on  his  left,  near 
Pace's  Ferry.  McPherson,  with  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee, 
was  on  Thomas'  right,  and  the  Army  of  the  Ohio  in  reserve 
back  of  McPherson  and  not  far  from  Nickajack  Creek. 
About  the  same  time  the  Union  cavalry  seized  Power's 
Ferry,  about  five  miles  to  the  left  of  our  Corps.  To  the 
enemy  everything  indicated  that  Sherman  would  endeavor 
to  cross  the  Chattahoochee  in  the  vicinity  of  Turner's  Ferry, 
some  miles  below  the  railroad  bridge. 

That  Johnston  expected  this  was  clearly  shown  by  the 
disposition  of  his  forces,  his  main  line  being  posted  so  as  to 
cover  the  river  in  front  of  Thomas  and  our  right.  From  his 
position  as  reserve,  Schofield,  with  the  Army  of  the  Ohio, 
could  be  detached  without  affecting  our  front  and  without 
the  enemy's  knowledge.  The  problem  of  crossing  was  a 
puzzling  one,  requiring  boldness  of  conception  and  prompt- 
ness of  execution.  A  plan  wras  at  once  devised  :  Schofield 
was  ordered,  with  his  army,  to  move  back  of  Thomas  and 
to  seize  the  ferry  at  the  mouth  of  Soap  Creek  nearly  ten 
miles  above  the  railroad  bridge.  This  movement  was  bril- 
liantly executed  on  the  yth,  the  enemy  being  completely 
surprised  and  easily  defeated.  At  the  same  time  our  cav- 
alry, under  Garrard,  was  ordered  to  seize  their  import- 
ant factories  at  Roswell,  still  further  to  our  left.  This  was 
also  accomplished,  but  Garrard  was  in  danger,  and  Newton's 
Division  of  our  Corps  was  sent  to  his  assistance.  No  sooner 
were  these  important  movements  wrell  under  way,  than  was 
the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  withdrawn  from  the  enemy's 
front  on  Thomas'  right,  and  sent  by  forced  march  to  our 
extreme  left,  even  to  the  left  of  the  Army  of  the  Ohio.  This 


ACROSS   THE    CHATTAHOOCHEE.  239 

left  Thomas  on  our  extreme  right,  with  the  rebel  line  ex- 
tending much  further  west  and  south  than  his,  but  across 
the  river.  It  was  a  critical  moment,  success  depending 
upon  celerity  of  movement  and  boldness  of  front.  McPher- 
son  was  always  on  time.  He  crossed  the  river  and  went 
into  position.  Thus,  as  early  as  the  gth  of  July,  Sherman 
had  secured  three  good  crossings — at  Roswell,  at  Soap  Creek 
and  at  Powers — a  pontoon  at  the  latter  place  having  been 
thrown  across  by  our  own  Corps.  With  two  of  our  armies 
— Schofield's  and  McPherson's — on  the  Atlanta  side  of  the 
river,  Johnston  saw  the  game  was  up,  and  withdrew  to  the 
south  side  himself,  burning  the  railroad  and  wagon  bridges 
behind  him. 

As  soon  as  it  was  ascertained  that  he  had  withdrawn, 
our  Division  was  ordered  to  the  left.  We  encamped 
that  night  near  Schofield's  pontoon  bridge  at  Soap  Creek 
Ferry.  In  order  to  mislead  and  distract  the  enemy  as  much 
as  possible,  our  cavalry  under  Stoneman  and  Garrard,  were 
sent  out  on  a  five  days'  raid,  threatening  the  rebel  Left ; 
General  Rouseau  was  ordered  to  move  with  another  large 
cavalry  force  from  Decatur,  Alabama,  still  further  to  the 
right  and  south  of  Atlanta — all  being  ordered  to  destroy 
railroad  and  other  public  property  to  the  utmost.  These 
raids  were  quite  effective,  though  they  did  not  cut  much  of 
a  figure  in  the  final  result.  The  weather  was  intensely  hot, 
and  much  care  was  necessary  to  avoid  sunstroke.  Both 
armies  needed  rest  and  seemed  ready  to  take  it.  No  vitally 
important  moves  were  made  on  either  side  for  several  days. 
Our  Corps,  however,  crossed  the  bridge  at  Soap  Creek  on 
the  1 2th,  and  at  once  took  up  an  important  position  on  high 
ground  about  one  mile  below  the  crossing.  In  the  meantime 
Thomas  had  extended  his  lines  toward  Powers'  Ferry  pre- 
paratory to  crossing. 

Reviewing  the  movements  of  the  contending  armies,  it 


240  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

seems  strange,  even  at  this  date  (1894),  that  the  Confederate 
Commander  should  have  left  this  part  of  his  front  so  utterly 
unprotected.  Schofield  crossed  at  Soap  Creek  without  diffi- 
culty, only  a  small  cavalry  outpost  with  one  piece  of  artil- 
lery being  on  guard,  and  this  within  six  miles  of  a  crossing 
held  by  us.  True,  Johnston  expected  Sherman  to  cross  many 
miles  below,  but  of  this  he  could  have  no  possible  assur- 
ance. As  it  was,  Sherman  was  able  to  cross  the  river  at  his 
leisure,  not  a  score  of  casualties  occurring  in  the  entire 
passage.  Johnston's  neglect  was  most  fortunate  for  us. 

Erecting  temporary  fortifications,  we  remained  in  our 
new  position  until  the  morning  of  the  i8th.  While  the  left 
of  our  great  army  was  thus  comparatively  quiet,  General 
Thomas  kept  up  vigorous  demonstrations  in  his  front,  to 
give  the  impression  of  an  intention  to  cross  at  any  moment. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

ATLANTA. 

If  we  could  have  passed  within  the  rebel  lines,  we 
should,  about  this  time,  have  met  our  old  acquaintance, 
General  Bragg,  who  was  there  to  look  over  matters  and  re- 
port to  ' '  President ' '  Davis.  Neither  Bragg  nor  Davis 
were  friendly  to  Johnston,  and  the  Confederate  Commander 
need  expect  no  favors.  Bragg,  who  was  Davis'  Chief  of 
Staff,  entered  no  complaint  to  Johnston,  nor  did  he  seriously 
criticise  him  to  his  face.  Forgetting  how  his  own  Fabian 
tactics  had  led  him  to  flee  from  Perry ville,  from  Stone 
River,  from  Shelby  ville  and  from  Tullahoma  ;  forgetting 
that  he  had  been  deposed  from  the  command  of  a  mighty 
army,  and  that  he  was  now  only  the  Chief  of  Staff  of  a 
civilian  "President,"  Bragg  nevertheless  hurried  back  to 


CAPTAIN  WILLIAM   N.   EBERSOLE, 

COMPANY   K. 

MORTALLY  WOUNDED  AT  STORMING  OK  KKNKSAW 
JUNK  27, 1864. 


16 


242  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

Richmond  full  of  complaints  and  charges  against  Johnston, 
who,  during  months  of  almost  constant  battle,  had  managed 
his  army  in  such  a  masterful  manner  as  always  to  present  a 
strong  front  so  splendidly  posted  that  Sherman  dare  not 
assail  him  by  direct  assault,  but  was  compelled  to  move  to 
the  right  or  left  as  best  he  could  to  turn  his  position.  It 
was  his  military  skill  that  enabled  him  to  do  so  at  precisely 
the  right  moment,  and  in  such  manner  as  to  save  every  man. 
He  never  ran — he  never  fell  back  precipitately.  Bragg 
rushed  from  the  line  of  Duck  River  before  our  army  had  even 
commenced  to  converge  upon  him  ;  he  ran  from  Tullahoma, 
while  we  were  practically  stuck  in  the  mud  miles  away  near 
Manchester,  nor  stopped  until  he  had  placed  not  only  the 
mountains,  but  the  Tennessee  between  him  and  danger. 
Not  so  with  Johnston.  He  stood  his  ground  and  fought 
like  a  tiger.  Not  until  his  position  became  absolutely  un- 
tenable did  he  withdraw,  and  then,  though  we  seemed  to 
have  him  by  the  throat,  with  his  arms  and  legs  ready  for 
binding,  he  would  quietly  slip  away,  and  confront  us  again 
in  a  new  position  well  selected  and  thoroughly  fortified. 
Johnston  was  a  soldier,  as  much  the  superior  of  Bragg  as 
Bragg  was  of  the  ordinary  officer.  And  yet  this  Chief  of 
Staff  carried  such  reports  back  to  his  master  as  resulted  in 
the  removal  of  Johnston  and  the  enthronement  of  a  man — 
Hood — who,  though  a  good  fighter,  had  less  judgment  even 
than  Bragg.  But  he  was  a  rebel  in  arms  against  his  coun- 
try. Eternity  will  not  obliterate  such  a  stain. 

When  the  knowledge  of  this  change  came  to  us,  all  were 
delighted.  We  knew  well  that  none  among  them  all  could 
do  better  than  Johnston,  and  the  probabilities  were,  not  so 
well.  Hood  had  achieved  a  good  reputation  for  dash  in 
the  east,  and  he  had  already  tried  it  on  Hooker.  Assuming 
authority  that  did  not  belong  to  him,  he  had  fallen  impetu- 
ously upon  "  Fighting  Joe"  and  had  been  most  unmercifully 


SOUTH    OF   THE   CHATTAHOOCHEE.  243 

whipped  and  driven  from  the  field.  He  was  not  invincible, 
that  we  knew.  We  were  soon  posted  as  to  his  methods, 
and  our  officers  were  on  the  lookout  for  sudden  dashes. 
General  Johnston  was  relieved  on  the  lyth  of  July,  '64, 
General  Hood  at  once  assuming  command. 

On  the  morning  of  the  iyth  our  great  army  was  early 
astir.  Thomas  was  that  day  to  cross  the  Chattahoochee  ; 
the  Army  of  the  Ohio  was  to  advance  toward  Decatur ;  and 
the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  was  to  move  out  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Augusta  railroad.  A  pontoon  was  thrown  across 
the  river  at  Pace's  Ferry,  and  on  this,  and  at  Power's  Ferry 
some  distance  above,  Thomas  crossed  over  and  took  a  strong 
position. 

Our  own  (Stanley's)  Division  was  already  over,  and  very 
early  on  the  morning  of  the  i8th  we  took  up  our  advance 
with  the  general  movement.  The  investment  of  the  enemy 
was  to  be  accomplished  by  a  grand  right  wheel,  pivoting  on 
Thomas'  right,  though  this  pivot  was,  itself,  to  advance 
slowly.  Nancy's  Creek,  the  first  natural  barrier,  was  soon 
passed,  and  Thomas'  line  at  night  extended  from  a  mile 
south  of  the  railroad  bridge,  in  an  easterly  direction,  to 
Buck  Head,  near  which  place  our  Corps  encamped.  Our 
Division  was  not  in  the  lead  on  the  i8th,  and  had  little  to 
do  with  the  heavy  skirmishing  which  continued  from  early 
morning.  The  general  advance  of  the  army  made  it  neces- 
sary for  Thomas  to  cross  Peach  Tree  Creek  on  the  iQth,  and 
serious  opposition  was  anticipated.  Our  own  Division,  and 
also  Wood's,  were  so  far  to  the  left  as  to  bring  us  in  front  of 
the  North  Branch  of  Peach  Tree  Creek. 

Advancing  from  Buck  Head  very  early  on  the  morning 
of  the  i  gth,  we  struck  the  rebels  in  considerable  force  soon 
after  6  o'clock  in  the  morning.  Our  Brigade  was  at  once 
placed  in  the  front  line  on  the  left  of  our  Division.  Wood's 
Division  was  thrown  into  position  south  of  the  Buck  Head 


244  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

and  Atlanta  road,  at  the  same  time.  After  a  severe  brush 
with  the  enemy,  we  drove  them  from  their  position,  captur- 
ing the  bridge  which  they  had  partially  destroyed,  and  quick- 
ly rebuilding  it,  went  into  line  south  of  the  stream,  well  sat- 
isfied with  our  success.  At  the  same  time,  the  other  two 
corps  of  Thomas'  army  and  the  other  division  of  our  Corps, 
had  been  contending  with  the  Confederate  skirmishers,  and 
did  not  cross  Peach  Tree  Creek  until  in  the  afternoon.  On 
the  night  of  the  igth,  Thomas'  line  extended  parallel  with 
Peach  Tree  Creek  and  south  of  it,  to  the  Buck  Head  and 
Atlanta  road,  along  which  Stanley's  Division  was  intrenched. 
The  flanking  movement  of  the  Armies  of  the  Tennesee 
and  the  Ohio  had  caused  a  dangerous  break  or  gap  in  our 
lines  between  Thomas  and  the  Army  of  the  Ohio.  Into 
this  gap,  nearly  two  miles  in  extent,  our  Division,  and 
also  Wood's, 'had  been  thrown.  This  accounts  for  our  po- 
sition on  the  Buck  Head  road,  and  for  the  break  between 
Wood's  and  Newton's  Divisions.  Marching  very  early  on 
the  morning  of  the  2oth,  we  advanced  for  some  distance 
along  the  road,  then  turned  south,  and  before  night  had 
crossed  the  South  Fork  of  the  Peach  Tree  Creek.  In  doing 
this  we  had  met  with  serious  opposition  and  considerable 
delay,  having  to  rebuild  bridges.  In  the  afternoon  the 
enemy  made  a  determined  dash  to  regain  their  lost  ground, 
but  failed.  We  drove  them  back  upon  their  main  lines  near 
the  Wright  house,  and  ourselves  occupied  their  skirmish 
pits.  In  the  evening,  the  Qth  Indiana  made  a  vicious  attack, 
and  brought  away  forty-three  of  the  enemy  without  losing 
a  man. 

While  we  were  thus  busily  employed,  the  remainder  of 
Thomas'  army  had  been  desperately  engaged.  From  our 
position  we  could  distinctly  hear  the  roar  of  the  battle.  The 
attack  had  come  largely  in  the  nature  of  a  surprise,  and  was 
the  first  serious  move  of  the  new  Commander,  Hood. 


BATTLE  OF  PEACH  TREE  CREEK.         245 

Thomas'  right  and  left  were  able  to  protect  themselves  by 
temporary  breastwork,  and  did  not  suffer  much,  but  his 
center — Hooker—  was  caught  in  the  open  fields  and  pretty 
badly  punished,  though  he  gave  six  blows  in  return  for 
every  half  dozen  he  received.  The  attack  was  characteristic 
of  Hood — assault  after  assault  was  made — now  upon  the 
left,  now  upon  the  center,  now  upon  the  right,  rushing 
like  demons  and  yelling  like  fiends.  But  our  boys  stood 
their  ground,  nor  yeilded  a  foot  of  it.  They  maintained 
gloriously  the  fighting  name  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumber- 
land. Toward  night,  weary  of  their  dreary  failures,  the 
enemy  withdrew.  Our  loss  was  very  heavy — 1,600  killed 
and  wounded — theirs  much  greater.  The  Union  lines 
were  quickly  adjusted,  the  dead  and  wounded  properly 
cared  for,  and  everything  placed  in  readiness  for  either 
offensive  or  defensive  work. 

General  Hood  was  much  chagrined  at  this  failure,  and 
resolved  to  redeem  himself  at  the  first  favorable  moment. 
Meanwhile,  on  the  2ist,  our  forces  everywhere  were  crowd- 
ing in  upon  him  in  a  most  determined  way ;  so  much  so, 
that  at  night  he  withdrew  from  the  elaborate  line  of 
works  constructed  to  prevent  our  advance  after  crossing 
Peach  Tree  Creek.  It  cost  Hood  a  struggle  to  play  the 
Fabian  act,  but  compulsion  was  upon  him.  He  withdrew 
his  forces  into  Atlanta,  and  we  promptlv  closed  in  upon 
him.  In  following  him  to  his  new  position  our  en- 
tire Division  was  deployed.  Our  skirmish  line  amounted 
almost  to  a  line  of  battle,  and  the  fighting  became  very 
severe  at  times.  Several  vigorous  attempts  were  made  to 
drive  us  off,  but  each  was  repulsed,  and  at  night  we  in- 
trenched close  up  to  the  foe.  While  these  important  move- 
ments were  being  made  in  our  front,  the  Army  of  the  Ohio 
and  the  Tennessee  were  equally  busy.  Schofield  entered 
Decatur  a  few  miles  east  of  Atlanta,  and  proceeded  along 


246  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

the  railroad  toward  the  city — McPherson  coming  in  on  his 
left  secured  possession  of  an  eminence  south  of  the  railroad 
and  so  near  Atlanta,  that  the  central  parts  of  the  city  were 
clearly  visible,  and  within  range  of  his  best  guns. 

General  M.  D.  Leggett,  of  Blair's  Corps,  (lyth,)  was 
ordered  to  occupy  and  hold  this  hill  with  his  Division, 
against  all  comers.  L,eggett  was  a  fighter,  and  immedi- 
ately fortified  himself  strongly,  believing  that  Hood  would 
not  yield  so  important  a  point  without  a  severe  strug- 
gle. General  G.  A.  Smith's  Division  was  posted  on  his  left, 
and  Dodge's  was  in  reserve.  On  L,eggett's  right  was  Lo- 
gan's Corps,  or  that  part  of  it  not  elsewhere  engaged.  The 
importance  of  the  position  was  fully  appreciated. 

It  would  be  interesting  to  follow  the  events  of  the  great 
Battle  of  Atlanta  which  followed,  but  we  had  no  active  part 
in  it,  and  it  is  not  necessary  to  our  story.  In  common  with 
our  entire  army,  we  deeply  mourned  the  untimely  death  of 
General  McPherson.  Under  General  Leggett' .>  magnificent 
leadership  the  enemy  was  repulsed  on  every  hand,  and 
finally  compelled  to  seek  safety  behind  the  defenses  of  At- 
lanta. Again  Hood  had  signally  failed. 

The  death  of  General  McPherson  made  several  changes 
necessary.  General  Kimball  became  our  Division  Com- 
mander, in  place  of  Stanley,  who  succeeded  Howard  as  Com- 
mander of  our  Corps — the  latter  having  been  assigned  to  the 
command  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee. 

While  our  three  armies  were  closing  in  around  Atlanta, 
the  engineers  and  pioneers  had  been  putting  the  railroad 
and  wagon  roads  in  good  condition,  so  that  soon  after  Hood's 
disastrous  assault  of  the  22nd,  cars  were  running  into 
Thomas'  camp,  and  the  army  was  sure  of  provisions  and 
other  supplies. 

Finding  the  defenses  of  Atlanta  on  the  east  and  north  to 
be  too  strong  to  warrant  direct  assault,  General  Sherman 


GENERAL   NATHAN   KIMBALL, 

IN  COMMAND  OF  DIVISION  AFTER  BATTLE  OF  ATLANTA. 

From   photograph. 


248  STORY    OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

determined  to  raise  the  siege  of  the  city,  and,  transferring 
his  army  to  the  west  and  south,  to  operate  against  his  com- 
munications, thus  forcing  the  enemy  again  into  the  open 
field.  To  this  end,  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  (Howard's) 
was  transferred  July  2yth,  from  our  extreme  left  to  the  ex- 
treme right.  Learning  of  this  movement,  Hood  sent  Gen- 
eral I^ee  writh  a  strong  force  to  attack  Ho\vard  before  he 
could  intrench  himself  in  his  new  position.  The  attack 
was  made  with  great  spirit,  but  the  boys  in  blue  were  im- 
movable. From  their  rail  pens,  and  other  barricades  hastily 
constructed,  they  simply  mowed  down  the  rebel  columns, 
and  although  not  less  than  six  assaults  were  made  on  some 
parts  of  the  line,  yet  not  one  of  them  succeeded.  This 
affair,  known  as  the  battle  of  Ezra  Church,  was  exceedingly 
disastrous  to  Hood.  He  did  not  try  his  peculiar  tactics 
again  until  Franklin.  Within  a  day  or  two  the  Army  of 
the  Ohio  (Schofield's)  was  also  withdrawn  from  Sherman's 
left  and  transferred  to  the  right,  going  into  position  beyond 
Howard.  This,  with  the  addition  of  Palmer's  Corps,  car- 
ried Sherman's  lines  as  far  south  as  Eastport.  To  meet 
this  movement  of  the  Union  army,  Hood  was  obliged  to  ex- 
tend his  lines  south,  in  the  direction  of  Jonesboro'. 

For  days  and  weeks  Stanley's  Corps  had  held  a  most  im- 
portant part  of  our  lines  on  the  extreme  left,  really  cover- 
ing the  front  formerly  held  by  more  than  twice  his  active 
force.  During  all  this  time  he  had  practically  bluffed  his 
way,  depending  largely  on  the  impudence  of  his  skirmish 
line,  but  occasionally  dashing  into  the  face  of  the  enemy 
with  such  viciousness  and  determination  that  Hood  seemed 
not  to  care  to  test  our  real  strength.  True  the  rebel  Gen- 
eral was  not  able  to  make  out  just  what  General  Sherman's 
plans  were,  and  was  so  deeply  absorbed  in  what  was  tran- 
spiring west  of  Atlanta  that  he  gave  little  heed  to  matters 
elsewhere.  While  we  watched  and  bluffed  on  the  left  of  our 


HOOD'S   DESPERATE   STRAITS.  249 

line,  Schofield  and  Howard  and  the  remainder  of  Thomas' 
army  made  themselves  strong  and  exceedingly  dangerous  in 
their  new  positions.  Poor  Hood!  He  was  in  hard  luck. 
When  he  succeeded  Johnston  it  was  expected  that -he  would 
first  check  the  National  Army,  then  whip  it,  and  then  either 
capture  it  or  put  it  to  ignominious  flight.  His  first  brilliant 
sally  was  at  Peach  Tree  Creek,  on  which  occasion  he  fell 
upon  our  army  in  the  field,  and  sought  by  sudden  and  re- 
peated dashes,  by  the  prodigal  use  of  cannon  and  musket 
and  bayonet,  and  by  all  the  arts  of  war  at  his  command,  to 
break  through  the  National  lines  and  roll  our  army,  deci- 
mated and  bleeding,  back  upon  the  Chattahoochee,  an  easy 
prey  for  other  forces  ready  to  seize  and  destroy  it.  But  like 
a  wall  of  granite  Thomas'  veterans  stood,  dying  rather  than 
yield  an  inch.  And  though  Hood  flung  Brigade  after 
Brigade  against  the  Union  boys  in  rapid  and  bewildering 
succession,  it  was  the  gray  and  not  the  blue  that  receded, 
broken  and  bleeding.  Again,  the  closing  in  of  our  army 
around  Atlanta,  the  wresting  from  Hood  of  one  strong  line 
after  another,  until  our  best  guns  actually  commanded  the 
<:ity,  rendered  the  Confederate  Commander  so  utterly  des- 
perate that  he  resolved  once  more  to  try  his  chances  by 
fierce  and  unexpected  assault.  Under  cover  of  darkness  he 
sent  a  magnificent  army  around  the  Union  left  and  back  to 
our  rear,  with  instructions  to  slay,  to  kill,  to  destroy  utterly, 
and  not  to  stop  for  blood  or  human  sacrifice,  but  by  all  the 
demons  out  of  hell  to  loosen  the  grip  which  the  National 
Army  then  had  on  the  very  throat  of  the  Confederacy. 
Bravely,  grandly,  worthy  of  a  better  cause,  these  Confeder- 
ate hosts  took  their  stealthy  way  through  the  forests,  and 
along  by-roads,  and  when  the  sun  next  morning  threw  light 
upon  the  night's  transaction,  the  Southern  columns  were 
almost  ready  to  form  for  the  assault.  The  tactics  of  Peach 
Tree  Creek  were  repeated.  Column  after  column,  like 


250  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

great,  living  missiles  of  death,  were  hurled  upon  the  flank 
and  rear  of  McPherson's  command,  while  from  the  works 
around  Atlanta  another  great  host  rushed  out  to  fall  upon 
the  front  of  these  same  devoted  lines.  Had  this  latter 
movement  been  better  timed,  the  history  of  that  dreadful 
day's  struggle  might  have  been  different.  As  it  was,  the 
National  lines  under  brave  General  L,eggett  -stood  firm,  and 
though  fighting  the  enemy  in  the  rear,  on  its  flank  and  in 
front,  yet  again  it  was  the  gray  and  not  the  blue  that  re- 
ceded, broken  and  bleeding, 

Later,  when  Hood  learned  that  the  extreme  left  of  our 
army  was  being  transferred  to  the  extreme  right,  he  resolved 
to  fall  once  more  on  our  columns,  this  time  while  they  were 
in  motion,  with  such  fierceness  and  in  such  numbers  that 
they  would  be  compelled  to  flee.  With  cannon  and  mus- 
ket and  bayonet,  and  with  blind  impetuosity,  he  again  and 
again  charged  the  National  lines  in  the  vicinity  of  Ezra 
Church.  But,  with  the  first  notes  of  the  coming  storm,  the 
Union  boys  halted,  faced  the  foe,  and  with  rail,  and  log,  and 
chunk  and  stone,  built  themselves  barricades  from  which 
they  hurled  into  the  faces  of  the  oncoming  lines  of  gray 
such  a  storm  of  lead,  and  iron,  and  bursting  shell,  that  first 
staggering,  then  halting,  then  fleeing,  the  rebel  line  sought 
shelter  in  distance  and  the  cover  of  friendly  woods.  Again 
Hood  had  been  whipped  on  ground  of  his  own  choosing, 
and  at  the  door  of  his  own  citadel — again  it  was  the  gray, 
and  not  the  blue,  that  receded,  broken  and  bleeding. 

No  wonder  the  Confederate  commanders  seemed  para- 
lyzed; no  wonder  he  allowed  Stanley  to  stretch  out  his  lines 
to  twice  their  proper  length  ;  no  wonder  he  was  afraid  to  try 
the  strength  of  our  left.  He  persuaded  himself,  finally, 
that  Sherman  was  putting  on  a  bold  front  simply  to  cover 
his  retreat  across  the  Chattahoochee.  Indeed,  he  held  to 
this  insane  notion  until  the  Union  Commander  came  near 


A  GREAT  FLANK  MOVEMENT.  251 

cutting  the  Confederate  army  in  twain  on  the  day  of  the 
battle  of  Jonesboro'. 

Finding  Hoods  works,  on  the  north  and  west  of  Atlanta 
too  strong  to  be  taken  by  direct  assault,  General  Sherman 
decided  to  compel  the  Confederate  Commander  to  come  out 
into  the  open  country,  and  thus  ignore  the  defenses  of  the 
city.  To  do  this  he  must  move  his  army  still  further  to 
the  south,  toward  Jonesboro'.  This  he  promptly  decided  to 
do,  and  on  Thursday,  August  25th,  our  Corps  received  or- 
ders to  withdraw  from  the  position  which  we  had  held  so 
long  and  so  successfully,  and  move  to  the  other  flank  of  our 
investing  lines.  The  watchfulness  of  the  enemy  made  this 
a  difficult  and  a  dangerous  thing  to  do.  It  was  not  to  be 
thought  of  in  broad  daylight.  In  the  evening,  however, 
leaving  the  skirmish-picket  line  in  position,  with  instruc- 
tions to  keep  the  Confederates  very  busy,  one  Brigade  after 
another  withdrew  so  quickly  that  we  were  gone  some 
time  before  they  were  aware  of  the  move.  Meanwhile 
the  pickets  kept  up  the  usual  noise,  and  the  rebel  batteries 
continued  to  drop  an  occasional  shell  over  into  our  empty 
works.  Not  until  nearly  10  o'clock  were  the  pickets 
withdrawn.  Of  course  the  Confederates  attempted  to 
follow  us,  but  they  did  so  with  extreme  caution,  fearing 
ambush  and  everything  else  bad.  Later  they  came  closer 
and  were  troublesome,  whereupon  General  Kirby  turned  his 
Brigade,  and  entered  such  a  determined  protest  that  they 
gave  up  the  pursuit  and  caused  us  no  further  trouble.  We 
encamped  that  night  on  the  south  bank  of  Proctor's  Creek, 
northwest  of  Atlanta,  the  remainder  of  our  Corps  being  on 
the  north  bank  of  the  same  stream. 

Before  beginning  this  movement  everything  not  abso- 
lutely necessary  to  an  active  campaign,  had  been  sent  to  the 
rear — such  as  surplus  wagons,  the  sick,  and  the  wounded  ; 
indeed,  we  were  stripped  of  everything  except  the  clothes 


252  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

we  wore,  ten  days'  rations  in  the  wagons,  which  would  have 
to  last  us  fifteen  days,  and  an  unlimited  amount  of  ammu- 
nition. We  were  decidedly  "light"  011  this  march. 

The  next  morning,  Friday  the  26th,  we  were  in  line  very 
early,  and  soon  moved  out  at  a  brisk  pace  for  the  right  of 
the  Fourteenth  Corps,  in  the  vicinity  of  Utoy  Creek,  which 
position  we  reached  in  safety  in  the  afternoon.  As  we  plod- 
ded along,  now  on  the  road,  now  in  the  woods,  and  now 
across  the  fields,  we  could  hear  the  sullen  boom  of  cannon 
off  on  our  left,  and  now  and  then  the  faint  echo  of  bursting 
shell.  The  weather  was  intensely  warm — this  being  the 
hottest  day  we  had  ever  experienced.  Very  great  care  was 
taken,  but  notwithstanding  this,  many  a  boy  in  blue  went 
down,  beneath  the  merciless  rays  of  a  Southern  sun — many 
recovered,  but  not  all.  Even  to  this  day,  not  a  few  of  our 
men  suffer  seriously  from  the  effects  of  the  almost  unheard 
of  heat  of  the  valleys  and  plains  of  Georgia. 

Weary  and  almost  prostrated  by  the  intense  heat,  we 
slept  in  comparative  peace,  but  with  the  earliest  hints  of  the 
morning  we  were  again  in  line,  and  after  breakfast — a  frugal 
meal  quickly  despatched — we  resumed  our  march  south- 
ward. Passing  beyond  the  right  of  the  Fourteenth  Corps, 
we  became  the  advance  of  the  Union  army,  and  the  old  or- 
der of  things  was  soon  established — again  the  everlasting 
picket  firing  rang  in  our  ears.  At  times  we  encountered 
cavalry  only,  then  cavalry  and  light  artillery,  and  not  in- 
frequently we  had  brushes  with  the  infantry.  In  our  own 
front,  only  the  skirmish  line  was  engaged  this  day,  and  at 
night  we  went  into  camp  near  Mount  Gilead  Church. 

While  we  had  been  making  this  move  to  the  south  or 
right  of  our  investing  lines,  the  Twentieth  Corps  had  con- 
centrated at  and  near  the  bridge  over  the  Chattahoochee, 
prepared  to  defend  our  supplies  at  that  point,  and  to  occupy 
Atlanta  the  moment  Hood  should  abandon  it.  Our  entire 


ON   THE   UNION    RIGHT.  253 

army  was  working  slowly  but  surely  toward  the  left  of  the 
Confederate  position,  and  every  day  brought  us  nearer  his 
communications. 

Very  early  on  the  morning  of  the  28th  we  again  pressed 
forward,  pushing  the  enemy  back,  and  compelling  him  to 
keep  at  a  respectful  distance.  At  night  we  were  in  line  near 
Red  Oak.  It  was  at  this  stage  of  the  great  game  that  Hood 
made  his  worst  mistake.  He  persisted  in  believing  that 
Sherman's  object  was  simply  to  put  on  a  bold  front  while 
his  army  should  cross  the  Chattahoochee.  This  accounts 
for  the  fact  that  we  met  so  slight  opposition  at  Red  Oak,  on 
one  of  his  main  lines  of  supply.  He  should  have  been  there 
in  full  force  before  Stanley  reached  that  point.  As  it  was  we 
had  reached  this  important  line  of  railroad  without  serious 
opposition,  and  the  next  morning  a  portion  of  our  Brigade 
set  to  work  with  a  will  to  tear  up  and  destroy  this  road  as 
completely  as  possible.  The  railroad  wore  a  most  discour- 
aged look  when  our  boys  were  through  with  it.  Only  a 
few  charred  ends  of  ties,  and  twisted  rails  galore,  were  in 
sight.  Wooden  structures  were  burned,  stone  culverts  were 
blown  up  and  torn  out,  and  the  stones,  by  means  of  heat, 
were  split  and  demolished.  The  next  day,  the  3oth,  we 
pushed  on  toward  the  South,  but  at  almost  every  step  we  en- 
countered their  skirmish  line,  \\hich  was  still  more  stub- 
born than  usual.  The  hills  and  highlands  in  the  vicinity  of 
Mud  Creek  gave  them  great  advantage,  of  which  they  fully 
availed  themselves.  They  were  at  times  too  strong  to  be 
handled  by  our  skirmish  line,  and  the  artillery  had  to  be 
called  in.  The  outlook  was  so  serious  that  night  that  we 
strongly  barricaded  our  position  when  we  went  into  camp 
at  Flat  Rock,  near  Mud  Creek. 

In  line  very  early  next  morning,  we  at  once  struck  the 
enemy,  with  whom  we  skirmished  during  the  live-long  day. 
By  this  time  Hood  began  to  realize  his  mistake  and  stir 


254  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

around  in  great  shape.  Our  entire  army  had  gone  so  far 
toward  the  South  that  his  defenses  at  Atlanta  amounted  to 
nothing.  He  saw  that  if  he  remained  there,  Sherman 
would  cut  off  his  lines  of  supplies,  and  that  his  army  must 
either  cut  its  way  through  the  National  lines,  starve  or  sur- 
render. He  would  not  surrender;  he  could  not  hope  to  cut 
his  way  out;  he,  therefore,  was  compelled  to  follow  Sher- 
man. This  would  bring  him  out  into  the  open  field,  where 
the  Union  army  felt  abundantly  able  to  whip  him . 

Hood  found  it  exceedingly  difficult  to  believe  that  Sher- 
man's grand  army  was  actually  on  his  flank,  that  it  was  a 
"condition  and  not  a  theory  that  confronted  him."  But 
stern  facts  soon  impressed  themselves  so  deeply  on  his  mind 
that  he  seemed  dazed  and  confused.  He  ordered  troops  here 
and  there,  at  times  almost  at  haphazard.  Realizing  that 
Sherman's  object  was  to  cut  and  permanently  hold  the  rail- 
road running  through  Jonesboro',  he  sent  two  corps  of  his 
army  to  that  place  to  prevent  such  a  calamity,  but  in  the 
confusion  of  the  hour,  he  foolishly  ordered  one  of  them 
back  to  Atlanta,  and  before  it  had  reached  that  destination 
he  changed  his  mind  and  ordered  it  to  return  to  Jonesboro'. 
But,  meanwhile,  Sherman  had  made  the  best  time  pos- 
sible, and  was  already  astride  the  railroad  north  of  Jones- 
boro', and  Hood's  returning  corps  had  to  move  further  to 
the  east,  along  a  new  road,  to  reach  the  position  it  had  left 
not  many  hours  before.  In  the  meantime,  the  Union  army 
had  not  been  idle.  On  the  contrary,  every  energy  had  been 
exerted  to  the  utmost  to  strike  the  enemy  before  he  could 
intrench  himself.  Our  own  Corps  (Stanley's),  after  de- 
stroying the  railroad  in  the  vicinity  of  Red  Oak,  as  stated 
above,  moved  in  the  direction  of  Rough-and-Ready,  "  a 
tumble-down  station  on  the  Macon  Railroad,  about  midway 
between  East  Point  and  Jonesboro'.  The  day  was  one  of 
stirring  incident  along  our  entire  front.  Every  man  seemed 


NEARING   A    CRISIS.  255 

to  know  that  a  great  crisis  was  approaching,  and  each 
nerved  himself  to  do  his  own  particular  best.  Strange  how 
the  unity  of  the  great  movement  seemed  to  impress  itself  on 
the  boys.  True  they  knew  nothing  surely,  except  that  with 
which  they  came  in  contact,  and  yet  all  knew  that  we  were 
many  miles  south  and  west  of  Atlanta — that  we  had  turned 
the  frowning  forts  and  long  lines  of  breastworks  and  rifle- 
pits  of  that  city,  in  which  the  Confederates  had  unbounded 
confidence,  and  behind  which  they  had  taken  permanent 
position,  as  they  supposed,  and  we  felt  that  one  army  or  the 
other  must  now  go  down. 

We  were  inspired  with  the  notion  that  it  was  possible  to 
wind  up  the  campaign  in  a  short  time,  and  this  gave  zeal 
and  energy  and  enthusiasm  to  every  move.  The  lines  were 
kept  well  closed  up — there  was  little  straggling,  notwith- 
standing the  intense  heat,  and  every  order  to  advance  was 
obeyed  with  alacrity.  This  spirit  actuated  our  entire  army, 
and  made  it  invincible.  Not  so  on  the  Confederate  side. 
That  brave  army  under  Bragg  had  been  driven  from  Perry  - 
ville,  through  Murfreesboro',  and  out  of  Chattanooga;  un- 
der Johnston  it  had  been  steadily  forced  back  from  Rocky 
Face,  through  Dalton,  Resaca,  and  Dallas  ;  from  Kenesaw, 
across  the  Chattahoochee,  where,  tired  of  this  Fabian  policy, 
General  Hood  was  placed  in  command  to  prevent  the  fur- 
ther retreat  of  the  army  in  gray.  But  even  Hood  was  speed- 
ily forced  back  into  the  stro  'g  defenses  of  Atlanta,  notwith- 
standing the  magnificent  fight  he  made  on  all  sides  to 
prevent  such  a  result.  And  now,  again,  that  same  army  in 
gray  was  compelled  to  abandon  its  strong  fortifications  and 
move  again  into  the  open  country.  Doubtless  they,  too,  felt 
that  the  game  would  soon  be  ended,  but  their  experience 
had  not  been  such  as  to  give  them  great  hope  of  success. 
They  knew  as  well  as  we  did,  that  when  they  left  Atlanta 
our  troops  (the  Twentieth  Corps)  would  speedily  occupy  it, 


256  STORY    OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

and  that  once  lost  they  could  never  regain  that  city. 
Though  they  marched  rapidly  and  promptly  to  their  new 
positions  in  the  open  country,  yet  their  step  must  have 
lacked  elasticity  and  confidence,  their  spirits  buoyancy  and 
enthusiasm.  But  they  were  soldiers,  every  man  of  them, 
true  and  tried,  for  whose  prowess  and  daring  we  had  great 
respect.  They  would  surely  withstand  us  with  undaunted 
courage  and  heroic  bravery. 

The  steady  on-push  of  Stanley's  Corps  on  the  3ist  was 
splendidly  emulated  by  the  other  parts  of  the  Grand  Army. 
We  went  into  camp  about  one  mile  west  of  the  Macon  Rail- 
road, in  what  was  known  as  the  Big  Bend ;  Schofield  on 
Thomas'  left,  struck  the  railroad  just  south  of  Rough-and- 
Ready;  the  army  under  Howard  had  forced  its  way  across 
Flint  River,  but  in  doing  so  had  been  heavily  assailed  by 
the  Confederates,  who  hoped  to  roll  him  back  in  confusion 
upon  and  into  the  Flint  River,  completely  paralyzed  and 
broken.  This  accomplished,  they  were  to  fall  upon  Scho- 
field near  Rough  and- Ready,  and  beat  him  off  in  some  way. 
All  this  was  to  result  in  forcing  Thomas  to  flee  for  his  life 
across  the  Chattahoochee.  But  the  whole  thing  was  a  fail- 
ure from  the  Confederate  standpoint.  Howard,  though  hard 
pressed,  held  his  own,  and  the  commanders  in  gray  had  all 
they  could  do  to  keep  him  out  of  their  own  works,  much 
less  could  they  drown  him  in  the  Flint.  They  hammered 
spasmodically  at  Schofield,  but  he  selected  his  own  camping 
ground  that  night,  and  there  was  no  encouragement  for  the 
Confederates  in  that  quarter.  Thomas,  instead  of  fleeing  as 
he  should  have  done,  according  to  Hood's  program,  moved 
steadily  forward  until  a  part  of  the  Fourteenth  Corps  (Davis') 
struck  the  railroad,  and  the  other  Corps  came  close  up  to  it. 
Sherman's  army  was  badly  scattered  that  day,  but  in  the 
rattled  condition  of  the  Confederate  Commander,  it  made  no 
difference.  Barricading  our  position  and  throwing  out  a 


DESTROYING   A    RAILROAD.  257 

strong  picket  line,  we  slept  that  night  feeling  sure  that  the 
next  day  would  bring  great  things  to  pass,  for  we  had  re- 
ceived orders  to  tear  up  and  utterly  destroy  the  railroad  in 
our  front.  That  the  enemy  would  prevent  this  if  possible, 
we  had  no  doubt,  and  if  we  succeeded  we  well  knew  that 
Hood  could  not  long  remain  in  Atlanta,  for  he  could  get  no 
supplies. 

The  first  gray  streaks  of  the  morning  of  September  ist 
discovered  the  Union  Army  in  line  ready  for  the  arduous 
work  before  it.  Marching  early,  our  Brigade  soon  struck 
the  railroad,  and  turning  south,  began  the  work  of  demol- 
ition. Everything  that  could  be  burned  was  committed  to 
the  flames  ;  cedar  ties  proved  to  be  excellent  material  for 
heating  the  rails,  and  adjacent  trees  offered  solid  supports 
for  bending  them  ;  a  roaring  fire  of  cedar  rails  soon  destroyed 
the  wooden  culverts,  and  a  few  pounds  of  powder  blew  up 
the  stone  ones.  The  railroad  was  utterly  wrecked — nothing 
was  left,  except  the  roadbed,  and  even  that  looked  exceed- 
ingly disconsolate.  We  continued  this  destruction  until  we 
met  other  forces  on  our  right  engaged  in  the  same  business, 
when,  according  to  instructions,  we  rested  and  waited  for 
further  orders. 

If  the  railroad  presented  a  dilapidated  appearance  after 
receiving  our  attention,  the  boys  themselves  looked  and  felt 
little  better.  The  weather  was  exceedingly  warm,  and  the 
fires,  necessary  for  the  destruction  of  ties  and  bridges  and 
the  heating  of  the  rails,  rendered  it  hot  almost  beyond  en- 
durance. Perspiring  like  old  soakers,  the  boys  used  their 
blackened  and  rusty  hands  to  brush  the  great  drops  of 
"sweat"  from  face  and  neck  and  breast,  until  they  were  a 
sight  to  behold.  They  looked  as  though  they  had  been  em- 
bracing unwashed  camp-kettles,  frying-pans,  and  the  greasy 
sides  of  all  the  S.  B.  boxes  in  the  army.  Each  laughed  at 
the  other,  and  in  a  little  while  managed,  one  way  and  an- 

17 


258  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

other,  to  clean  up  and  look  all  right.  But  there  remained 
many  streaks  of  black  as  broad  as  your  two  fingers,  and 
many  splotches  the  size  of  a  silver  dollar,  as  nearly  as  we 
could  remember  how  large  such  a  thing  was. 

We  had  not  rested  long  before  the  entire  Corps  was  or- 
dered to  move  down  the  railroad  toward  Jonesboro'  and  join 
the  left  of  the  Fourteenth  Corps.  Marching  rapidly  we  soon 
struck  the  enemy  and  gave  them  our  entire  attention. 

Up  to  this  hour  the  work  of  the  day  had  been  deliberate, 
no  haste  had  been  enjoined,  but  now  everything  was  to  be 
rushed.  The  change  had  been  brought  about  by  the  dis- 
covery that  a  portion  of  the  troops  that  had  been  in  Jones- 
boro' the  day  before,  and  which  had  assaulted  Howard,  had 
been  withdrawn,  and  Sherman  determined  to  attack  before 
it  could  be  returned.  To  this  end  he  put  his  entire  army  in 
motion.  Two  Brigades  were  sent  to  the  south  to  cut  the 
road  in  that  section  ;  Howard  was  to  batter  the  rebel  lines 
on  our  right  with  artillery;  Davis,  with  the  Fourteenth  Corps, 
was  to  assault  on  the  north  of  the  town  ;  and  Stanley  was  to 
prolong  Davis'  lines  east  of  the  Macon  Railroad,  and  join  in 
the  assault.  Davis  was  already  in  line,  wrathy  because  he 
could  not  at  once  fly  into  the  faces  and  clutch  the  throats  of 
the  enemy  bristling  in  his  front.  Stanley  was  making  Her- 
culean efforts  to  reach  the  position  assigned  him,  and  so  nerv- 
ous was  Sherman  that  several  orders  to  "hurry  up"  were 
sent  us. 

Arriving  at  the  designated  point,  not  a  moment  was  lost, 
but  the  Corps  at  once  formed,  with  Kirby's  Brigade  on  the 
right,  resting  on  the  railroad ;  Gross'  Brigade  on  its  left, 
and  Taylor's  (Whitaker's)  in  reserve. 

The  ground  in  our  front  was  rough  and  broken  and 
covered  with  trees  of  considerable  growth,  among  which 
grew  an  almost  impenetrable  thicket  of  brush  and  brier.  In 
and  back  of  this  and  completely  hidden  from  view  was  a 


BATTLE   OF   JONESBORO'.  259 

strong  Confederate  skirmish  line,  amounting  almost  to  a 
line  of  battle;  and  back  of  this  was  their  main  line,  posted  a 
short  distance  in  front  of  a  strongly  fortified  position  along 
the  crest  of  a  ridge.  The  force  in  our  immediate  front  con- 
stantly riddled  the  jungle  in  which  we  were  struggling,  and 
many  a  bursting  shell  forced  its  unwelcome  way  into  the 
midst  of  the  thicket.  The  bushes  in  our  front  seemed 
sometimes  fairly  to  bulge ;  every  rise  of  ground  that  over- 
looked our  position  was  strongly  held,  and  every  open  space 
across  which  we,  in  our  advance,  must  pass,  was  completely 
covered.  It  seemed  an  almost  impossible  task  to  carry  a 
line  of  battle  through  all  these  entanglements,  even  if  no 
enemy  had  been  on  guard  to  prevent  it.  But  with  a  vigi- 
lant and  determined  foe  added  to  these  obstructions,  our 
progress  was  necessarily  slow.  Indeed,  some  of  the  regi- 
ments found  it  necessary  to  abandon  the  attempt  to  preserve 
a  regular  line,  and  marched  in  column,  company  front,  in 
order  to  make  any  progress  at  all.  Without  hesitation  we 
pushed  our  way  steadily  forward  with  all  the  energy  possi- 
ble, and  although  murderously  assailed  by  an  unseen  foe, 
though  contending  against  odds  that  seemed  overwhelming, 
we  drove  the  enemy  out  of  the  jungle,  and  halting  in  the 
edge  of  the  thicket  to  adjust  our  line,  the  Brigade  fell  upon 
the  Confederates  and  forced  them  back  into  their  works 
along  the  crest  of  the  hill,  and  but  for  the  coming  of  night 
this  position  also  would  have  been  assailed. 

The  Brigade  on  Kirby's  left  (General  Cross')  had  ad- 
vanced under  similar  embarrassments,  and  was  ready  for  the 
assault  soon  after  Kirby  cleared  his  front,  as  was  also 
Colonel  Taylor's  (Whi taker's),  but  it  was  too  late — dark- 
ness prevented  further  hostilities  except  along  the  skirmish 
line.  Orders  were  received  for  a  vigorous  assault  at  dawn 
next  morning.  But  this  was  not  to  be  made,  the  Confed- 
erates withdrawing  during  the  night. 


260  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

However,  anticipating  a  severe  battle  next  morning,  we 
strongly  barricaded  and  intrenched  our  position  and  lay 
down  to  rest — all  except  the  poor  fellows  who  had  to  go  on 
picket.  It  rained,  it  almost  poured,  but  nothing  was  neg- 
lected on  this  account.  In  line  before  dawn  of  the  2nd,  we 
waited  the  revelation  of  the  light,  and  were  not  a  little  sur- 
prised to  find  the  strong  works  in  our  front  held  only  by  a 
light  picket  line,  which  was  soon  driven  off. 

It  was  about  8  o'clock  in  the  morning,  September  2nd, 
when  we  began  our  march  down  the  railroad,  through 
Jqnesboro',  in  pursuit  of  the  retreating  enemy,  whom  we 
found  strongly  posted  along  the  crest  of  a  ridge  about  one 
mile  north  of  Lovejoy  Station.  We  had  not  moved  far  that 
morning  until  we  passed  between  the  hills  on  the  right 
where  Carlin  had  so  bravely  and  so  successfully  assailed 
the  Confederate  position,  and  the  ridge  on  the  left,  which  we 
at  that  very  hour  would  doubtless  have  been  assaulting  had 
the  enemy  remained.  We  found  it  much  more  agreeable  to 
pass  in  columns  down  the  railroad  than  it  would  have  been 
to  fly  into  the  teeth  of  the  foe  in  line  of  battle.  The  rifle- 
pits  along  the  brow  of  the  ridge,  reinforced  by  head-logs, 
rocks,  etc.,  looked  lonely.  They  were  uninviting,  even  in  the 
absence  of  their  gray  defenders.  Without  stopping  for  close 
examination,  we  pushed  on  as  rapidly  as  possible  and  soon 
came  upon  the  enemy  as  stated  above.  Stanley's  Corps 
held  the  left  front,  his  right  resting  on  the  railroad. 

As  we  neared  lyovejoy  Station,  we  could  see  the  boys  in 
gray  working  like  beavers  to  fortify  their  new  position. 
Doubtless  they  were  greatly  discouraged,  but  no  one  would 
have  thought  so  to  see  with  what  magic  their  new  position 
was  fortified.  Breastworks  soon  crowned  the  ridge.  In 
many  places  head-logs,  rocks  and  everything  else  that  could 
contribute  to  make  the  position  strong  were  brought  into 
use.  While  this  was  being  done  by  the  infantry,  their 


PETER  J.  DEWITT, 

COMPANY   I. 

From  photograph  taken  in  1890. 


262  STORY    OF   THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

artillery  was  wheeled  into  position  and  immediately  began 
shelling  our  lines.  Our  troops  were  being  deployed  as 
rapidly  as  possible  along  our  entire  front,  and  could  not 
afford  to  be  fooled  with  by  the  enemy's  batteries.  Schofield 
threw  two  or  three  sections  into  line,  and  so  did  Stanley, 
and  the  Confederate  gunners  soon  had  enough  of  it  for 
the  time.  Kirby's  Brigade  came  into  line  on  the  left  of 
our  Division  under  very  discouraging  circumstances.  Along 
the  entire  front  of  the  Confederate  position  the  country  was 
open  and  exposed  to  the  sweeping  fire  of  three  batteries 
posted  in  a  most  admirable  manner.  Not  only  so,  but  the 
ground  itself  was  against  us.  Bogs,  pools  of  water,  deep 
trenches  that  might  almost  be  dignified  as  ravines,  seemed 
to  lie  everywhere,  and  to  advance  we  must  climb  and  clam- 
ber, wade  and  jump,  and  face  the  rebel  artillery  at  the  same 
time.  The  prospect  was  not  encouraging.  Barricading 
our  position  for  temporary  protection,  we  waited  the  move- 
ment of  Howard's  men,  our  orders  being  to  move  forward 
with  them.  It  was  the  middle  of  the  afternoon  before  he 
was  ready  to  attack.  Even  then,  his  extreme  left  moved 
slowly  and  only  a  short  distance.  Stanley's  right  charged 
forward,  but  was  held  back  by  the  lack  of  support  on  the 
right  of  the  railroad.  Our  own  Brigade  made  a  dash  to  the 
front,  drove  the  enemy  back  upon  his  main  works,  but  on 
account  of  the  enfilading  fire  of  the  enemy's  batteries,  we 
were  obliged  to  retire  a  short  distance  and  protect  ourselves 
as  best  we  could  by  the  natural  formation  of  the  ground. 

The  fight  here  was  an  ugly  one,  in  every  sense  of  the 
word.  The  Confederates  hid  behind  their  strong  works,  and 
poured  a  murderous  fire  upon  everything  within  range,  em- 
ploying both  artillery  and  infantry.  Their  batteries  swept 
their  entire  front  with  shot  and  shell,  grape  and  canister. 
On  our  side  we  gave  them  the  very  best  we  had,  and  sought 
constantly  to  come  to  a  closer  embrace.  But  all  things 


LOVEJOY   STATION.  263 

seemed  to  be  against  us.  The  rain  fell  in  torrents,  flooding 
the  whole  country;  the  ground  was  rough  and  rocky,  ridged 
and  full  of  pools,  swamps  and  swollen  streams.  Notwith- 
standing all  this,  we  succeeded  in  keeping  the  boys  in  gray 
well  down  out  of  sight  behind  their  breastworks.  Several 
of  our  batteries  were  well  posted  and  splendidly  served. 
More  than  one  rebel  gun  was  knocked  out  so  completely 
that  it  had  to  be  abandoned  as  useless,  and  many  a  bad 
breach  was  made  in  their  main  works.  A  gallant  charge 
was  made  by  some  of  General  Woods'  men,  of  our  Corps, 
and  we  also  were  under  orders  to  assault.  Wood,  though  he 
gained  the  enemy's  works,  was  unable  to  hold  the  position, 
and  a  little  later  our  order  to  charge  was  countermanded. 
Thus  the  bitter  contest  continued  until  darkness  put  an  end 
to  the  struggle.  We  had  gradually  worked  our  way  nearer 
and  nearer  to  the  enemy,  until  we  were  in  position  to  assault 
their  stronghold,  but  here,  as  at  Jonesboro'  the  afternoon 
before,  the  coming  of  night  ended  the  deadly  strife.  At 
dusk,  the  rumor,  well  authenticated,  was  circulated  that 
Hood  had  abandoned  Atlanta  and  that  our  Twentieth  Corps 
(Slocum's)  had  occupied  it.  No  one,  unless  he  had  been 
present,  participating  in  the  long,  wearisome  struggle  that 
began  at  Tunnel  Hill  and  was  still  raging  at  Lovejoy,  can 
fully  understand  the  thrill  of  joy,  pride,  and  satisfaction,  that 
filled  the  hearts  of  the  boys  in  blue  at  the  announcement  of 
this  glorious  news.  No  wonder  they  cheered.  No  wonder 
some  of  the  rougher  ones  accompanied  the  next  ounce  of 
lead  they  sent  screeching  into  the  Confederate  works,  with, 

"There,  take  that you,  and  be  quiet,"  and  that  others, 

under  the  excitement  of  the  moment,  should  become  reckless 
in  their  attempts  to  "lay  out "  the  foe  still  bidding  us  defiance. 
Nor  is  it  any  wonder  that  many  of  us  cherished  the  belief 
that  the  end  might  be  near,  while  still  others,  inspired  by 
this  fond  hope,  fairly  embraced  each  other,  even  while  the 


264  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

air  was  filled  with  rebel  iron  and  lead.  "  To-morrow,"  said 
one,  "  we'll  lick  the  life  out  of  old  Hood,  and  next  day  I'm 
going  home."  Every  countenance,  every  word,  and  every 
act  showed  clearly  the  intense  enthusiasm  of  the  hour. 
Without  becoming  careless,  each  man  doubled  his  diligence, 
watched  his  chance,  and  did  his  best.  Though  doomed  to 
disappointment ;  though  more  long  months  must  drag  their 
weary  length  into  eternity  before  we  should  be  permitted  to 
go  home,  yet  many  a  powder-stained  boy  in  blue  that  night 
dreamed  of  home  and  friends,  and  peace  and  quiet,  even 
amid  screeching  shot  and  bursting  shell. 

Without  shelter,  with  little  supper,  and  with  no  comforts 
at  all,  we  spent  the  long,  wet  night  in  the  front  line,  ready 
on  the  instant  for  any  duty  the  occasion  might  demand. 

Early  next  morning,  the  3rd,  we  were  relieved,  and 
placed  in  the  second  line  as  reserves  to  the  Second  and 
Third  Brigades.  The  day  was  spent  in  comparative  quiet, 
neither  Commander  feeling  inclined  to  assault  the  other  with 
any  degree  of  vigor.  The  skirmishers,  of  course,  shot  at 
each  other  all  day,  and  frequently  made  a  great  deal  of 
noise ;  the  artillery  used  up  more  or  less  ammunition,  and 
the  two  armies  stood  like  tin  giants  stripped  for  battle,  but 
seemed  satisfied  to  glare  and  frown,  and  dare  the  other  to 
come  on.  The  4th  and  5th  were  spent  similarly.  Each 
army  needed  rest,  and  each  Commander  needed  time  to  an- 
swer the  question  "  What  next?"  Hoods'  problem  was  to 
devise  some  way  to  prevent  Sherman's  further  advance  into 
the  heart  of  the  Confederacy  ;  and  Sherman's  was  to  devise 
the  best  possible  move  by  which  to  break  up  and  annihilate 
Hoods'  army.  Hood  was  greatly  at  sea  and  needed  time. 
He  was  therefore  glad  to  see  that  Sherman  was  in  110  hurry 
to  assail  him  in  his  present  quarters.  Moreover,  he  doubt- 
less read  correctly  the  thought  or  purpose  in  Sherman's 
mind  when  he  began  the  destruction  of  railroads.  He  did 


BACK   TO   ATLANTA.  265 

not  believe  Sherman  would  go  much  further  south  unless  he 
should  effect  a  junction  with  other  Union  forces  at  Mobile 
•or  Savannah.  But  he  was  very  uncertain,  and  remained 
strictly  in  position  and  keenly  on  the  alert  as  long  as  Sher- 
man showed  fight.  Sherman,  on  the  contrary,  knew  well 
that  the  army  which  he  had  driven  from  Dalton  to  Lovejoy 
was  in  no  condition  to  take  the  offensive,  and  that  it  was 
aching  to  be  let  alone  for  awhile.  He  therefore  felt  entirely 
safe  in  ordering  the  withdrawal  of  his  forces  from  Lovejoy 
and  in  retiring  to  Atlanta.  Accordingly,  on  the  5th  of  Aug- 
ust the  order  was  given,  and  the  same  evening  the  National 
army,  "of  its  own  free  will  and  accord,"  began  its  movement 
toward  the  rear.  The  Confederates  offered  scarcely  enough 
objection  to  this  to  be  polite.  True,  they  did  send  a  small 
escort ;  they  did  honor  us  with  a  few  shells,  but  not  enough 
to  be  interesting.  They  were  glad  to  be  rid  of  us. 

Kirby's  Brigade  began  its  movement  to  the  rear  just  be- 
fore night  on  the  5th,  in  the  midst  of  a  most  terrific  thunder- 
storm, and  a  perfect  avalanche  of  rain.  Considerable  diffi- 
culty was  experienced  in  moving  the  hospitals.  The  night 
was  intensely  dark,  the  roads  fearfully  muddy  and  greatly 
cut  up,  and  the  rain  discouraging  in  the  extreme.  Halting 
just  north  of  Jonesboro',  our  Brigade  and  Division  went  in- 
to camp  about  daylight,  near  the  battle-ground  of  September 
i st.  Everyone  was  in  good  spirits.  We  were  not  retreat- 
ing— we  all  knew  that — for  we  had  whipped  the  enemy, 
had  driven  him  into  the  country,  twenty  miles  south  of 
Atlanta,  and  were  now  going  back  to  rest  and  recuperate. 
Remaining  near  Jonesboro'  until  the  yth,  ready  to  accom- 
modate the  enemy  should  they  demand  any  more  fighting, 
we,  in  the  forenoon  of  that  day,  withdrew  still  further,  halt- 
ing, at  night,  seven  miles  south  of  Atlanta,  and  soon  after 
noon  next  day,  September  8th,  went  into  camp  east  of  the 
'City,  near  the  Augusta  Railroad.  Sherman's  entire  army 


266  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

was  soon  concentrated  in  and  around  the  former  capital  of 
western  rebeldom,  but  strong  pickets  were  stationed  on  all 
the  avenues  leading  into  the  city,  and  so  close  a  watch  set 
that  it  was  impossible  that  a  surprise  should  occur.  We 
did  our  full  share  of  picket  duty  while  here,  as  we  had  al- 
ways done  since  the  day  we  left  Monroeville,  and  as  we  con- 
tinued to  do  as  long  as  there  was  a  foe  in  the  field. 

The  change  from  the  tremendously  active  campaign  at 
the  front,  to  the  quiet  of  the  camp,  was  so  marked  that  it 
took  us  several  days  to  become  accustomed  to  our  new  sur- 
roundings— not  that  any  of  us  hankered  particularly  for 
"  life  at  the  front,"  but  we  had  been  in  the  immediate  pres- 
ence of  the  enemy  so  long  that  it  seemed  a  little  strange 
that  comparative  silence  should  reign  from  morning  till 
night.  But  we  managed  to  get  used  to  it.  The  boys  spent 
their  time  variously.  They  soon  learned  the  state  of  affairs 
in  the  East,  and  were  more  than  ever  convinced  that  the  war 
was  approaching  a  speedy  end.  Some  were  sure  that  we 
should  not  again  be  called  into  action.  They  felt  that  Hood 
had  been  completely  whipped,  and  that  Grant  had  Lee  so 
effectually  by  the  throat  that  he  too  must  yield.  Awaiting 
developments,  we  borrowed  little  trouble  about  the  future, 
and  spent  our  time  as  boys  in  camp  usually  do. 

The  fall  of  Atlanta  was  looked  upon  by  thinking  people 
everywhere  throughout  the  North  as  a  sure  omen  of  the  tri- 
umph of  our  cause.  Great  joy  filled  all  loyal  hearts,  while 
feelings  of  despondency  and  discouragement  took  possession 
of  the  enemies  of  the  Old  Flag.  The  victory  was,  indeed, 
a  glorious  one,  but  it  had  been  expensive,  not  only  in  treas- 
ure, but  in  human  life  and  sacrifice.  The  Army  of  the  Cum- 
berland alone  lost  in  the  campaign  beginning  near  Tunnel 
Hill,  early  in  May,  and  ending  with  Lovejoy,  as  follows : 
One  hundred  and  ninety-six  officers  and  two  thousand  eight 
hundred  and  forty-five  enlisted  men  were  killed,  a  total  of 


IN   CAMP   AT   ATLANTA.  267 

three  thousand  and  forty-one;  eight  hundred  and  ten  officers, 
and  fourteen  thousand  nine  hundred  and  seventy-three  men 
were  wounded ;  one  hundred  and  four  officers  and  two 
thousand  six  hundred  and  three  men  captured,  making  a 
total  loss  of  twenty -one  thousand  five  hundred  and  thirty- 
one. 

During  the  stay  of  our  army  at  Atlanta,  especial  atten- 
tion was  given  our  sick  and  wounded,  many  being  sent 
North  for  better  treatment.  Those  who  remained  received 
every  possible  attention.  Our  Brigade  Surgeon  and  his 
able  assistants  devoted  every  energy  to  the  relief  of  the  suf- 
fering. For  months  the  hospital  had  been  transported  from 
point  to  point,  from  field  to  field,  as  the  army  advanced. 
Few  of  us,  I  fear,  fully  comprehended  the  difficulties  with 
which  this  important  branch  of  the  service  was  constantly 
beset.  Nor  did  we  begin  to  comprehend  the  difficulties 
against  which  the  Quartermaster's  Department  had  con- 
tinually to  contend,  especially  during  an  active  campaign. 
To  Seney,  and  Benham,  and  their  assistants,  we  were 
under  deepest  obligations.  Only  an  unwavering  perse- 
verance and  an  unconquerable  determination  could  win 
under  many  of  the  conditions  that  confronted  the  army. 

We  were  "at  ease"  in  a  marvellously  short  time  after 
going  into  camp  near  Atlanta.  The  mail  came  regularly 
from  the  North,  and  daily  a  large  packet  of  letters  left  our 
camp  for  northern  homes,  accompanied  by  many  blessings 
on  the  loved  ones  to  whom  they  were  addressed.  Time 
wore  rapidly  on  without  especial  incident  until  the  begin- 
ning of  October. 

Meanwhile,  great  thoughts  found  lodgement  in  General 
Hood's  fertile  brain.  The  necessity  of  doing  something, 
and  of  doing  it  right  away,  was  upon  him.  After  due  con- 
sultation with  the  "  President,"  and  with  Beauregard,  who 
had  been  placed  in  general  command,  Hood  seized  the  bull 


268  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

by  the  horns  and  attempted  to  move  his  army  toward  the 
north.  In  this  he  succeeded — that  is,  he  marched  north. 
His  intention  was  to  force  Sherman  back  to  the  Ohio.  This 
would  be  a  much  greater  thing  than  Bragg  had  accomplished 
when  he  compelled  Buell  to  retreat  from  Chattanooga  to  the 
Ohio,  or  than  Sherman  had  done  in  forcing  the  Confederates 
from  Dalton  to  i,ovejoy.  Success  was  by  no  means  sure, 
but  there  was  a  possibility,  and  he  decided  to  take  his 
chances. 

Sherman,  in  the  meantime,  had  been  in  communication 
with  General  Grant  with  reference  to  a  movement  across 
the  State  of  Georgia  to  the  sea.  He  really  contemplated 
ignoring  Hood,  in  large  part;  that  is,  Hood  might  follow 
him  if  he  thought  it  safe,  or  he  might  try  his  luck  further 
north  if  he  could  get  there.  Of  course,  ample  provisions 
were  to  be  made  to  prevent  his  doing  any  great  harm,  but 
the  theater  of  war  was  to  be  changed.  This  whole  matter 
was  involved  in  so  much  uncertainty,  and  fraught  with  so 
many  dangers,  that  a  decision  was  hard  to  reach.  General 
Hood  kindly  came  to  the  rescue,  removed  the  difficulties, 
and  made  the  march  to  the  sea  possible. 


CHAPTER   XXIV. 

FOLLOWING    HOOD. 

We  remained  in  camp  at  Atlanta,  quietly  resting  and  re- 
cuperating— but  doing  our  full  share  of  picketing  and  scout- 
ing— until  the  3rd  of  October,  when  we  again  "  fell  in  "  for 
a  new  campaign.  From  the  very  day  we  went  into  camp  to 
the  day  we  left  it,  rumors  of  this  and  that  were  more  or  less 
current.  According  to  some,  Hood  was  about  to  move  east- 
ward so  as  to  aid  Lee  at  Richmond;  according  to  others  he 


REBEL   SCHEMES.  269 

would  go  westward  and  threaten  Nashville;  still  others  had 
it  that  he  would  stay  where  he  was  till  Sherman  moved ;  and 
yet  others  reported  Hood  as  getting  ready  to  throw7  his  en- 
tire army  on  Sherman's  communications,  but  the  latter  was 
not  credited  even  by  the  most  experienced  bluffers  in  the 
Union  camp.  When,  about  the  2oth  of  September,  the  Con- 
federate Commander  moved  his  camp  and  went  into  a  new 
position  covering  the  West  Point  Railroad,  there  was  consid- 
erable excitement  among  our  leaders  until  the  new  position 
was  developed.  Hood's  left  now  rested  on  the  Chattahoo- 
chee,  and  he  lost  no  time  in  throwing  a  pontoon  across  and 
sending  his  cavalry  over.  Sherman's  cavalry  was  also  on 
that  side,  and  the  two  forces  had  constant  trouble.  While 
we  boys  played  muggins,  and  seven  up,  and  smoked,  and 
lolled  and  slept,  Sherman  and  his  Corps  Commanders  spent 
sleepless  nights  on  Hood's  account,  and  in  determining  what 
they  should  do  if  Hood  should  do  nothing  until  they  were 
ready  to  move.  On  the  29th  and  3oth  Hood  crossed  the 
river  and  headed  northward.  The  duty  of  the  Union  army 
was  at  once  manifest,  and  it  immediately  rose  to  its  feet 
ready  for  business.  Not  until  the  2nd  of  October  were 
Hood's  intentions  sufficiently  revealed  to  enable  Sherman  to 
take  the  field  except  with  his  cavalry. 

Rebel  General  Wheeler  had  been  causing  so  much  trouble 
in  Tennessee  that  Sherman  had  deemed  it  wise  to  send  re- 
inforcements back  to  Chattanooga  and  Bridgeport,  to  take 
the  places  of  other  troops  sent  to  Nashville,  and  on  the  28th 
of  September,  Thomas  himself  was  ordered  back  to  the 
latter  city  to  collect  and  organize  a  force  sufficient  to  pre- 
serve peace  in  that  section. 

At  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  3rd,  wre  moved  out  of 
camp,  our  Division  leading,  and  passed  directly  through  the 
city,  now  a  vast  military  depot,  encamping  that  night  in  the 
old  rebel  works,  on  the  Smyrna  camp  ground,  within  five 


270  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

miles  of  Marietta,  savage  old  Kenesaw  looming  up  to  the 
northwest  of  us.  So  far  as  the  rank  and  file  were  corcerned, 
the  march  had  been  without  incident,  but  when  we  went  into 
line  about  4  o'clock  that  afternoon,  the  situation  became 
suggestive,  to  say  the  least.  We  had  been  ordered  to  take 
ten  days'  rations  in  our  wagons,  and  the  whole  outfit  re- 
minded us  of  the  recent  Atlanta  campaign,  only  we  were 
headed  the  wrong  way.  Stanley  was  ordered  to  develop 
"  Hood's  plans,"  but  this  was  a  difficult  thing  to  do  until 
Hood  could  be  found,  and  to  some  extent  interviewed. 
Every  effort  was  made  by  Stanley,  now  in  command  of  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland,  in  Thomas'  absence,  but  without 
definite  results.  Slocum's  Twentieth  Corps  was  left  to  hold 
Atlanta,  but  all  other  troops  in  the  vicinity  were  under 
marching  orders.  The  Confederate  army  was  in  camp  that 
night  near  Powder  Springs,  ten  miles  west  of  us.  We  were 
in  line  early  next  morning,  but  lounged  near  the  butts  of 
our  muskets  for  many  hours.  A  signal  message  from  the 
top  of  Kenesaw  reported  the  rebels  in  the  vicinity  of  Big 
Shanty  tearing  up  and  destroying  the  railroad.  A  half  hour 
later  our  cavalry  was  reported  as  forming  to  attack  them. 
Still  later,  the  bugler  sounded  "forward,"  and  with  old- 
time  alacrity  the  boys  took  their  places  ready  for  any 
emergency.  Passing  through  Marietta,  we  went  into  camp 
near  Little  Kenesaw.  Ten  wagon  loads  of  ammunition  and 
ten  ambulances  to  each  Division  indicated  the  character  of 
work  we  might  expect.  In  addition  to  this  each  regiment 
had  one  wagon.  The  Confederate  assault  on  Big  Shanty 
was  successful,  and  later  in  the  day  Ackworth  fell  also. 
General  Stanley  was  ordered  to  make  a  feint  against  Pine 
Mountain  on  the  morning  of  the  5th,  to  prevent,  if  possible, 
the  rebel  assault  on  Alatoona.  which  was  evidently  being 
planned.  This  movement  was  promptly  made,  but  the 
Confederates  gave  us  but  little  heed  until  much  later  in  the 


BACKWARD.  27 1 

day,  and  made  a  most  vicious  though  unsuccessful  attack  on 
Allatoona.  A  vigorous  effort  was  made  to  cut  off  the  Con- 
federates now  falling  back  from  Allatoona  along  the  Dallas 
road  to  the  main  rebel  army  now  near  New  Hope  Church. 
The  effort  failed,  but  only  by  a  scratch,  and  night  found 
each  of  the  opposing  armies  apparently  ready  for  the  other. 

The  sight  of  old  Kenesaw  called  up  many  sad  recollec- 
tions. It  was  here  that  many  of  our  brave  boys  had  fallen ; 
here  that  many  a  brave  deed  had  been  performed ;  here 
many  a  terrible  sacrifice  had  been  made.  It  seemed,  indeed, 
strange  after  three  months  to  find  ourselves  back  in  this  his- 
toric section,  and  especially  to  be  occupying  the  same  lines 
then  held  by  the  enemy,  and  looking  for  them  in  the  same 
direction  they  then  looked  for  us. 

A  cold,  misty  rain  set  in  next  morning,  and  we  shivered 
around  camp  all  day,  no  move  having  been  ordered.  Gen- 
eral Sherman  spent  most  of  the  day  on  the  top  of  Pine 
Mountain,  from  which  a  most  beautiful  view  of  all  the 
country  can  be  had.  Hoods'  main  army  was  now  at  Dalton, 
only  twelve  miles  west  of  us,  quite  as  uncertain  of  the  Union 
position  as  Sherman  was  of  the  Confederates. 

Shortly  before  sunset  we  witnessed  a  most  beautiful 
sight,  which  many  of  the  boys  probably  still  remember. 
The  day  had  been  wet  and  gloomy,  disagreeable  and  unin- 
teresting every  way.  But  just  as  the  sun  was  sinking  be- 
hind the  mountain  \vall  that  bordered  the  western  horizon, 
the  sky  took  on  a  deep  leaden  hue  which  soon  changed  to  a 
much  lighter  haze,  and  this  becoming  more  and  more 
transparent,  seemed  almost  to  dance  upon  hill  and  mountain 
top,  then  changed  rapidly  into  deeper  and  brighter  shades 
and  colors,  until  finally  all  the  wild  region  seemed  bathed 
in  a  sea  of  crimson  and  gold.  Even  stern  old  Kenesaw  re- 
laxed his  savage  features  and  looked  glad,  while  the  lesser 
hills  and  valleys  beamed  with  radiance.  In  the  midst  of  this 


272  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

indescribable  scene,  the  great  sun  sank  reluctantly  into  his 
grave  behind  the  hills,  buried  in  a  halo  of  ineffable  glory. 
It  was  all  a  vision  of  surpassing  beauty,  utterly  at  variance 
with  the  warlike  preparations  seen  on  every  hand. 

The  movements  of  Hoods'  army  were  so  completely  hid- 
den by  the  cloud  of  Confederate  cavalry  kept  constantly  be- 
tween him  and  Sherman,  that  the  Union  general  was  kept 
guessing  an  uncomfortably  long  time.  Sherman  was  ex- 
asperated, and  bent  every  possible  energy  to  gain  reliable 
information.  Our  cavalry,  under  Elliott  and  Kilpatrick, 
ceased  not  day  nor  night  to  patrol  the  whole  country,  and 
to  inform  General  Sherman  of  every  possible  piece  of  news 
that  could  be  picked  up.  Corps  and  Divisions  of  the  rebel 
army  would  lean  off  well  toward  our  lines,  and  sometimes 
make  bold,  dangerous  breaks.  The  capture  of  Big  Shanty 
and  Ackworth,  and  the  assault  upon  Allatoona,  were  ex- 
amples. Another  such  plan  was  now  hatching.  The  Con- 
federate main  army  was  to  push  on  rapidly,  threatening 
Kingston,  and  especially  Rome,  while  another  strong  force 
was  to  rush  rapidly  forward  and  seize  Resaca  and  Daltonr 
and  utterly  destroy  the  railroad  between  these  two  places.  A 
corps  of  infantry  was  to  assist  the  cavalry  in  this  matter. 
The  plan  worked  well,  though  Resaca  was  not  taken,  but 
Hood  could  not  hold  his  gains.  While  the  rebel  army  was 
thus  pushing  northward,  Sherman  was  equally  busy,  but 
could  not  move  so  rapidly  at  first,  the  rebel  scheme  not  be- 
ing developed.  On  the  afternoon  of  October  8th,  however, 
reliable  information  of  the  Confederate  plans  having  been 
received,  we  were  put  in  motion,  and  camped  that  night  one 
mile  from  Ackworth,  in  the  same  place  we  occupied  before 
the  siege  of  Kenesaw.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  loth,  as- 
sembly was  sounded  from  Division  Headquarters,  and  in 
half  an  hour  we  were  off  in  good  shape,  passing  through 
Allatoona  at  sunset,  and  crossing  the  Etowah  at  9  o'clock 


BACKWARD.  273 

the  same  evening.  Two  hours  later  we  went  into  camp 
near  Cartersville.  The  march  upon  which  we  were  just 
entering  north  of  the  Etowah,  proved  a  wearisome  one. 
The  Confederates  had  the  start  of  us,  were  keeping  it,  and 
by  bold  dashes  here  and  there  by  their  cavalry  and  detached 
bodies  of  infantry,  kept  their  plans  quite  to  themselves;  so 
much  so,  indeed,  that  when  on  the  nth  we  came  into  the 
vicinity  of  Kingston,  General  Sherman  ordered  our  Corps 
to  remain  there  until  something  definite  should  develop. 
But  before  midnight,  General  Stanley  had  orders  to  move 
at  daylight  next  morning.  A  strong  force  of  infantry  and 
cavalry  was  reported  as  marching  upon  Resaca,  directly  in 
our  front,  and  later  it  was  stated  that  the  place  had  been 
captured.  This  was  an  error,  but  it  spurred  us  on  just  as 
though  it  were  true.  On  the  i2th,  when  we  heard  cannon- 
ading off  in  the  direction  of  Rome,  we  made  up  our  minds 
that  we  should  soon  have  a  chance  to  measure  strength  again 
with  the  enemy,  but  this  was  also  a  mistake.  It  was  only 
a  blind — Hood  crossed  the  river  a  dozen  miles  west  of  Rome, 
but  he  did  send  a  force  to  capture  Resaca  and  Dalton.  Our 
marching  much  of  this  time  was  through  the  woods  and 
brush,  over  fields  and  fences,  along  ravines  and  around  the 
hills,  with  little  to  break  the  monotony.  Thus  the  Fourth 
and  Fourteenth  Corps  pushed  steadily  on  until  our  Division 
and  Brigade  went  into  camp  about  noon  on  the  I4th,  on  the 
old  battle-field  north  of  Resaca.  The  march  had  been  a  very 
severe  one,  but  not  a  man  fell  out  by  the  way,  nor  flinched 
from  duty. 

In  the  meantime  the  Confederate  army  had  pushed 
steadily  northward,  and  had  gone  into  camp  in  Snake  Creek 
Gap  the  day  before  we  reached  Resaca.  Throwing  out  a 
strong  force,  both  of  infantry  and  cavalry,  they  made  short 
work  of  the  little  garrison  at  Dalton.  The  railroad  between 
this  place  and  Resaca  was  utterly  destroyed.  The  move 

18 


274  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

was  a  brave  one,  though  it  was  of  no  permanent  benefit  to 
the  Confederate  cause.  The  force  engaged  had  to  run  for 
camp  to  avoid  capture  by  our  troops  rapidly  arriving.  Hood 
did  not  attempt  to  hold  the  road,  nor  even  the  strong 
passes  at  Tunnel  Hill  and  Buzzard  Roost,  in  which  we  had 
had  a  most  uncomfortable  experience  on  the  evening  of 
May  ii. 

By  this  time  the  Confederate  whereabouts  were  better 
known,  and  Sherman  decided  to  fall  heavily  and  suddenly 
upon  Hood's  army  as  it  lay  divided  in  Snake  Creek  Gap  and 
west  of  that,  and,  if  possible,  capture  that  part  which  occu- 
pied the  Gap.  To  this  end  we  were  called  into  line  very 
early  on  the  morning  of  the  i5th.  Leaving  the  old  battle- 
field we  moved  out  in  great  haste,  marching  directly  west- 
ward for  a  time;  then,  turning  more  to  the  north,  we  struck 
the  "hill,"  and  were  ordered  to  move  directly  over  into 
Snake  Creek  Valley  and  prevent  the  escape  of  the  Con- 
federates in  that  direction.  It  was  an  awful  "climb."  There 
was  practically  no  road;  we  could  take  no  wagon,  no  artil- 
lery, not  even  an  ambulance.  The  mountain  was  rough — 
very  rough  and  steep.  In  time  of  peace  we  should  have 
said  that  it  was  utterly  impassable,  but  in  war  nothing  is 
impossible,  and  we  finally  got  over,  but  the  enemy  had  fled, 
and  we  descended  in  peace.  The  Gap  was  greatly  obstructed 
by  fallen  trees,  rocks,  etc.,  most  of  which  had  to  be  removed 
before  the  artillery  and  trains  could  be  brought  forward. 
General  Hood  moved  his  headquarters  that  day  from  Villa- 
now  to  Cross  Roads,  nine  miles  south  of  Lafayette,  and  our 
Division  went  into  camp  in  Snake  Creek  Valley.  Our  entire 
army  was  near  at  hand,  but  had  not  succeeded  in  capturing 
any  part  of  the  rebel  army,  not  even  in  compelling  Hood  to 
stop  and  fight.  Soon  after  noon  next  day,  Oct.  16,  we 
marched  a  short  distance  and  went  into  camp  in  the  more 
open  country  beyond  the  Gap. 


IN    CAMP   AT    GALESBURG.  275 

Sherman  was  greatly  exasperated.  He  had  expected  to 
bring  Hood  to  battle  before  this  time,  but  that  event  seemed 
quite  as  remote  as  it  did  the  day  we  left  Atlanta.  The  Con- 
federate Commander  had  good  reason  for  not  stopping  to 
offer  battle.  His  officers  were  unanimously  opposed  to  it — 
not  one  of  them  believed  it  a  safe  thing  to  do,  for  the  Con- 
federate rank  and  file  still  had  the  same  respect  for  Yankee 
push  and  bullets  they  had  on  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and 
would  not  stand.  Hood  says  he  wanted  to  fight  at  or  near 
Lafayette,  but  was  overruled.  The  entire  host  was  over- 
anxious to  get  away  from  Sherman — Hood  therefore  decided 
to  move  his  army  still  further  west,  and  cross  the  Tennessee 
at  Florence.  Sherman  decided  not  to  follow  him  further. 
He  would  reinforce  Thomas  and  let  that  General  look  after 
the  Confederate  army. 

Having  thus  decided,  he  made  immediate  preparations  to 
return  to  Atlanta  with  a  large  portion  of  his  army,  when  he 
would  organize  the  long  cherished  campaign  to  the  sea. 
Hood  was  tardy  in  revealing  his  intentions,  so  that  it  was 
the  20th  before  Sherman  felt  it  safe  to  take  definite  action. 
In  the  meantime,  Stanley's  Corps  had  received  orders  to 
reduce  to  the  lowest  practicable  point  all  baggage,  materials 
and  trains.  This,  we  all  knew,  meant  rapid  marching,  and 
probably  short  rations.  All  surplus  material  was  sent  to 
Chattanooga.  The  Corps  changed  camp  two  or  three  times, 
going  into  quarters  on  the  2oth  near  Galesburg,  where  we 
remained  for  some  days  living  on  the  "  fat  of  the  land." 

We  remained  in  camp  near  Galesburg  until  the  morning 
of  the  2yth.  Nothing  of  especial  importance  occurred, 
though  the  camp  was  full  of  all  manner  of  rumors.  One  of 
them  had  it  that  we  were  to  return  at  once  to  Atlanta ; 
another  that  we  were  to  go  to  Chattanooga  ;  another  that  we 
were  to  continue  to  follow  wherever  Hood  might  lead; 
another  that  our  Corps  was  to  go  to  Nashville  and  come  at 


276  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

Hood  from  that  side,  etc.  No  great  amount  of  sleep  was 
lost  by  the  boys  over  these  rumors. 

At  last  Hood's  movements  indicated  clearly  that  it  was 
his  intention  to  cross  to  the  north  side  of  the  Tennessee 
river,  and  further,  that  he  would  make  this  crossing  much 
further  west  than  Guntersville,  which  common  rumor  had 
fixed  as  the  probable  place.  This  being  settled,  Sherman  at 
once  set  about  arranging  his  plans.  He  would  follow  Hood 
no  further,  but  would  leave  him  in  the  care  of  Thomas.  He 
himself,  with  four  Corps,  would  return  to  Atlanta  and  prepare 
for  the  march  to  the  sea.  That  Thomas  might  have  an  army 
sufficient  to  defeat  Hood  in  pitched  battle,  Stanley's  Corps, 
and,  a  few  days  later,  the  23d  Corps,  were  sent,  mostly  by 
rail,  to  Athens  and  Pulaski.  It  must  have  set  the  Con- 
federate Chieftain  a-thinking  when  he  learned  that  Sherman 
with  four  great  army  corps,  was  deliberately  moving  back 
toward  Atlanta  and  the  other  two  corps  were  going  off  in  a 
still  different  direction.  Though  Hood  did  not  like  to  be 
ignored,  yet  the  temper  of  his  forces  was  such  as  to  make 
him  want  to  be  "let  alone."  Indeed,  if  we  had  "  let  him 
alone"  at  Columbia,  Franklin  and  Nashville,  I  think  he 
would  have  been  still  better  satisfied.  He  tells  us  he  was  in 
doubt  what  to  do,  but  finally  decided  to  "  go  north."  That 
other  genius,  Beauregard,  was  with  him  at  this  time,  and 
probably  helped  him  to  come  to  this  brilliant  decision.  At 
any  rate,  he  would  play  his  hand  out,  take  Nashville,  and 
then  see  what  to  do  next. 

We  had  remained  idle  in  camp  for  a  number  of  days,  the 
entire  Corps  being  in  reserve  to  the  i4th  and  23rd,  but  on 
the  evening  of  the  26th  we  received  orders  to  march  to 
Alpine  next  day.  The  Regiment  had  been  there  before,  in 
September,  1863,  when  Rosecrans  was  maneuvering  for  po- 
sition at  Chickamauga.  The  march  to  this  place  next  day 
was  uneventful,  as  was  also  that  of  the  following  day  to 


CAPT.   LYMAN    PARCHER, 

COMPANY    E. 

From   photograph. 


278  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

Lafayette.  We  were  to  move  to  Chattanooga  and  be  subject 
to  Thomas.  All  were  in  the  best  of  spirits,  and  confident  of 
final  victory.  From  Chattanooga  the  Corps  was  to  be  trans- 
ported by  rail — which,  to  the  loist,  would  be  a  novel  ex- 
perience. From  Lafayette  we  moved  directly  toward  Chat- 
tanooga, passing  Gordon's  Mills  about  i  P.M.,  and  encamp- 
ed at  Rossville  about  5  o'clock.  The  very  name  of  the 
stream,  Chickamauga,  which  we  crossed  at  the  Mills,  carried 
us  back  to  the  fall  of  '63.  As  we  marched  across  that  famous 
battle-field,  memory  was  busy  with  the  events  of  those  two 
dreadful  September  days.  The  old  Vinyard  House,  in 
front  of  which  our  Division  Artillery  roared  and  thundered ; 
on  the  right  of  which  reinforcements  came  to  our  relief, 
dealing  terrible  vengeance  upon  the  boys  in  gray,  wild  with 
temporary  success,  and  back  of  which  we  rallied  more  than 
once  ;  the  rolling  ground  to  the  right  of  us,  in  front  of  which 
our  lines  were  first  formed,  and  for  the  possession  of  which 
we  fought  so  long  and  for  which  so  many  of  our  boys  dit  d  ; 
the  dense  woods  beyond,  into  which  we  drove  the  strong 
line  of  the  enemy,  and  out  of  which  they  drove  us  ;  the 
woods  to  the  left  of  us,  in  the  edge  of  which  we  readjusted 
our  lines,  and  leaped  again  upon  the  foe ;  the  ditch  just 
to  the  left  of  the  road,  now  almost  obliterated,  but  then 
filled  with  dead  and  wounded ;  the  woods  beyond  the  open- 
ing, in  which  Colonel  Heg  died  while  leading  his  Brigade— 
these,  and  a  hundred  other  sights,  recalled  the  events  of  that 
bloody  day.  Not  a  man  in  the  ranks  that  had  not  lost  a 
friend  in  that  great  battle.  Further  to  the  left  were  the 
woods  that  skirted  our  position  the  next  morning,  and  when 
on  that  awful  Sunday,  so  many  more  of  our  boys  went  down 
to  death  and  life-long  suffering.  A  little  further  on  we 
passed  that  part  of  the  field  which  gave  to  Thomas  the  so- 
briquet of  Rock  of  Chickamauga.  So  busy  was  memory, 
that  much  of  the  time  we  marched  in  silence.  Even  the 


A  HARD  MARCH  OVER  THE)  MOUNTAINS.       279 

camp  at  Rossville  had  its  dreadful  memories.  Here,  after 
the  battle,  we  gathered  our  shattered  forces,  counted  our 
dead,  and  cared  for  our  wounded.  We  were  glad  next 
morning  to  leave  the  place  and  march  for  Chattanooga,  go- 
ing into  camp  not  far  from  the  foot  of  L,ookout.  Here  again 
memory  was  busy.  Visions  of  the  day  on  which  we  reached 
this  same  ground  after  Chickamauga,  came  before  us,  and 
again  we  saw  the  loyal  boys  in  blue  busy  as  nailers  intrench- 
ing against  the  foe  surging  along  the  crest  of  Mission  Ridge. 

To  our  intense  dissatisfaction,  we  here  learned  that  we 
were  not  to  be  taken  by  rail  to  our  new  field  of  operations, 
but  that  Kirby's  Brigade  had  been  detailed  to  conduct  our 
long  and  very  valuable  train  over  the  mountains  to  Pulaski. 
This  was  work  that  we  abhorred,  but  the  loist  always 
obeyed  orders  and  so  did  Kirby's  Brigade.  We  started  at 
2  P.  M.  next  day,  October  3ist,  having  in  charge  a  train 
fully  four  miles  long.  Our  course  lay  through  Shellmound, 
Bridgeport,  Stevenson,  up  Crow  Creek  Valley,  and  over  the 
mountains  to  Cowan,  and  through  Winchester  to  Athens, 
and  thence  to  Pulaski.  The  march  was  made  in  the  quick- 
est time  possible,  and  was  wholly  without  interest  or  spice, 
unless  rain  and  mud,  and  rut,  and  swollen  streams,  and  moun- 
tains, and  broken  bridges,  and  braying  mules,  and  swearing 
drivers,  constitute  interesting  events.  But  General  Kirby 
delivered  the  train  on  time  and  in  good  shape,  and  felt 
like  a  free  man  when,  with  his  command,  he  found  himself 
again  in  the  front  lines. 

It  was  now  Saturday,  November  12.  Thomas  had  ex- 
erted every  energy  to  collect  his  army  and  organize  for  de- 
fense. It  was  not  possible  to  undertake  offensive  move- 
ments, but  Stanley  and  Schofield,  with  their  two  Corps,  must 
hold  the  enemy  in  check  as  long  as  possible,  yielding  ground 
only  on  compulsion.  As  we  filed  into  camp  that  afternoon 
at  Pulaski,  what  was  the  state  of  affairs  ?  Briefly,  as  follows  : 


280  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

General  Hood's  entire  army  was  at  and  near  Florence,  on 
the  Tennessee  ;  one  Division  of  infantry,  and  a  large  part  of 
his  cavalry,  were  north  of  the  river,  and  the  remainder  of 
his  army  was  ready  to  cross.  Our  cavalry,  under  General 
Garrard,  had  made  it  exceedingly  lively  for  them,  and  Hood 
was  in  the  dark  as  to  what  force  was  actually  in  front  of  him. 
Thomas,  at  Nashville, was  rapidly  organizing  the  new  troops, 
calling  in  such  posts  and  garrisons  as  could  be  spared,  and 
planning  to  meet  every  probable  move  that  Hood  would 
make.  That  Nashville  was  the  rebel  objective  point,  no  one 
doubted.  Stanley's  and  Schofi eld's  Corps  were  at  Pulaski 
and  near  by,  and  so  disposed  as  to  watch  Hood  to  the  best 
advantage.  General  Granger,  with  a  small  force,  was  at 
Decatur.  Our  force  was  not  sufficient  to  prevent  a  flank 
movement,  which  would  doubtless  be  undertaken.  Picket 
and  scouting  duties  here  were  very  severe. 

From  the  i4th  to  the  22d  nothing  especial  occurred  ex- 
cept that  we  continued  to  strengthen  our  position,  for  we 
knew  that  Hood's  army  was  very  much  stronger  than  ours, 
and  that  we  could  not  hope  to  beat  him  in  the  open  field. 
All  had  great  confidence,  however,  in  Thomas,  and  believed 
that  he  would  in  some  way  bring  us  out  all  right.  Hood 
was  not  far  away,  and  was  making  great  efforts  to  get  his 
army  across  the  Tennessee.  Our  cavalry  force  was  very 
small,  but  was  very  effective,  and  gave  him  much  trouble, 
and  kept  General  Schofield,  who  was  in  command  at  Pulaski, 
well  informed  of  rebel  operations  and  intentions.  It  rained 
almost  incessantly  while  we  were  at  Pulaski,  culminating 
on  the  2ist  in  a  driving  snow  storm,  followed  by  bitter  cold 
weather.  It  froze,  but  not  hard  enough  to  bear  up  a  wagon. 
As  a  slight  protection,  many  of  our  boys  constructed  shanties 
or  huts,  certain  houses  in  the  vicinity  furnishing  the  neces- 
sary material. 

Hood  at  length  succeeded  in  getting  across  the  river  at 


AN   EXCITING    RACE.  28 1 

Florence,  and  early  on  the  morning  of  the  2ist,  in  the  midst 
of  the  snow  storm  referred  to  above,  began  his  march  north. 
Before  starting,  however,  he  prepared  the  following  address 
to  his  troops: 

"  SOLDIERS  :  You  march  to-day  to  redeem  by  your  valor  and 
your  arms  one  of  the  finest  portions  of  our  Confederacy.  This  can 
only  be  achieved  by  battle  and  by  a  victory.  Summon  up  in  behalf  of 
a  consummation  so  glorious  all  the  elements  of  soldiership,  and  all 
the  instincts  of  manhood,  and  you  will  render  the  campaign  before 
you  full  of  auspicious  fruit  to  your  country,  and  lasting  renown  to 
yourselves." 

Wet  clothing,  tenacious  mud,  driving  snow  and  whistling 
winds  chilled  the  enthusiasm  of  the  boys  in  gray,  as  with 
chattering  teeth  they  listened  to  the  reading  of  this  address, 
and  sullenly  moved  forward  wading  the  November  mud 
ankle  deep.  They  encamped  that  night  twelve  miles  north 
of  Florence,  and  at  5  o'clock  next  morning  resumed  the 
march. 

Knowledge  of  these  movements  was  at  once  communi- 
cated to  General  Schofield,  and  as  soon  as  it  was  certain  that 
Hood  would  not  turn  easterly  and  attack  Pulaski,  our  army 
was  put  in  rapid  motion,  that  we  might  reach  Columbia  in 
advance  of  the  Confederate  army.  The  race,  though  not  a 
rapid  one,  was  full  of  excitement  and  hard  work.  On  the 
22d  our  army  began  the  march,  one  Division  being  sent  for- 
ward to  Linnville,  half  way  to  Columbia,  and  the  remainder 
of  the  army  put  in  marching  order.  The  forenoon  of  the 
23d  was  spent  in  loading  all  available  railroad  cars  with  pro- 
visions and  other  material  to  lighten  as  much  as  possible  our 
wagon  train.  At  12:30  Kimball's  Division  in  advance 
moved  out,  going  into  camp  at  1 1  p.  M.  just  south  of  Linn- 
ville. The  roads  were  simply  dreadful — in  time  of  peace 
they  would  have  been  considered  utterly  impassable.  The 
poor  animals,  under  lash  and  oath,  dragged  the  heavy  artil- 
lery and  ponderous  army  wagons  through  mud  which,  in 


282  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

places,  was  more  than  hub  deep.  We  in  the  ranks  picked 
our  way  as  best  we  could,  but  kept  well  together.  The  line 
of  gray  a  few  miles  to  the  west  of  us  on  the  Mt.  Pleasant  road 
was  doing  precisely  the  same  thing.  Thus  on  and  on,  hour 
after  hour,  the  rain  falling  incessantly,  the  roads  becoming 
worse  continually.  But  Yankee  pluck  won  the  day,  and  we 
went  into  line  in  front  of  Columbia  before  the  Confederates 
could  reach  the  place.  The  23d  Corps  on  the  right,  Stan- 
ley's on  the  left,  our  Division  on  the  extreme  left.  We  im- 
mediately began  to  intrench. 


CHAPTER   XXV. 

FROM    COLUMBIA.   TO    FRANKLIN. 

General  Hood,  with  his  entire  army,  had  made  a  brave 
and  vigorous  effort  to  reach  the  line  of  Duck  River  at  Co- 
lumbia in  advance  of  the  National  army,  but  he  had  failed, 
and  our  line  of  retreat  upon  Nashville  was  still  open.  It 
was  expected  that  the  Confederate  General  would  at  once 
offer  battle,  and  as  our  army  was  then  situated,  Schofield 
would  have  been  compelled  to  fight,  even  at  great  odds,  for 
the  bridges  and  their  approaches  on  both  sides  were  in  such 
condition  that  not  even  our  train  could  cross,  much  less  our 
army,  in  the  face  of  an  active  enemy.  But  Hood  contented 
himself  with  skirmishing  along  our  entire  front,  but  did  not 
attack  in  force.  The  situation  did  not  warrant  this  com- 
parative quiet,  and  our  leaders  at  once  came  to  the  conclu- 
sion that  plans  for  a  flank  movement  were  being  devised  by 
Hood.  Even  we  in  the  ranks  were  not  a  little  surprised  at 
the  tameness  of  the  struggle,  though  we  were  by  no  means 
anxious  to  see  the  oncoming  Confederate  lines,  which  we 
hourly  expected. 

Our    cavalry   was   constantly   on    the    alert,    and   soon 


SPRING    HILL.  283 

brought  word  that  the  enemy  were  preparing  to  cross  the 
river  some  miles  east  of  us.  So  probable  was  this  report 
that  on  the  evening  of  the  2yth  the  entire  Union  army  was 
withdrawn  to  the  north  side  of  the  river,  to  be  in  readiness 
to  prevent  the  success  of  such  a  movement,  and  to  continue 
our  retreat  if  necessary.  Stanley's  Corps  was  placed  in 
position  some  distance  back  of  the  town,  while  the  Twenty- 
third  Corps,  under  Cox,  was  stationed  near  the  river  to  guard 
the  bridges.  The  enemy  soon  followed  to  the  river,  and 
the  skirmish  contest  continued  with  the  stream  between  the 
opposing  lines.  The  fight  waxed  very  warm  at  different 
times,  artillery  being  freely  used  on  both  sides,  but  at  no 
time  did  the  conflict  rise  to  the  dignity  and  stateliness  of 
battle.  Thus  through  the  28th.  Early  on  the  morning  of 
the  2 Qth  reliable  information  was  received  that  Hood  \vas 
crossing  the  river  in  force  at  Huey's  Mills,  about  eight 
miles  east  of  Columbia,  on  the  main  road  to  Spring  Hill; 
that  his  cavalry  was  already  over  and  a  full  corps  of  infantry 
(Cheatham's)  would  immediately  follow;  that  the  head  of 
the  column  would  reach  Spring  Hill  about  noon,  thus  cut- 
ting off  our  line  of  retreat  to  Franklin.  The  situation  was 
becoming  very  grave.  The  Confederate  plan  was  to  fall 
heavily  and  very  suddenly  upon  our  communications  at 
Spring  Hill,  gain  our  rear,  and  crush  our  little  army  by  the 
sheer  force  of  numbers.  To  accomplish  this,  General  Cheat- 
ham  advanced  in  very  strong  force,  followed  by  a  large  part 
of  Stewart's  Corps,  the  whole  being  preceded  by  a  cloud  of 
cavalry  that  completely  hid  the  infantry  columns.  Hood, 
Forrest,  Cheatham  and  others  were  on  the  ground  to  urge 
the  greatest  promptness  of  action  and  celerity  of  movement. 
It  was  the  opportunity  of  Hood's  life,  and  he  resolved  to 
rise  in  his  might  and  crush  utterly  the  fragment  of  the 
National  army  that  had  dared  to  interpose  itself  between 
him  and  his  Northern  goal. 


284  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

Without  drum  or  bugle,  or  ostentation  of  any  kind;  with 
long,  steady  strides  well  sustained  ;  with  victory,  and  glory, 
and  immortal  renown  in  plain  sight,  as  they  thought,  the 
boys  in  butternut  and  gray  gave  their  whole  attention  to  the 
work  before  them.  At  noon  on  the  2Qth  this  magnificent 
force  was  in  the  vicinity  of  Spring  Hill.  The  cavalry,  in 
strong  force,  was  forming  for  assault,  and  to  all  appearances, 
the  town,  the  little  force  defending  it,  and  our  line  of  retreat 
to  Franklin  and  Nashville,  were  at  the  mercy  of  the  foe. 

But  at  8  o'clock  that  same  morning,  General  Stanley  had 
taken  two  of  his  Divisions,  Wagner's  and  Kimball's,  and 
started  in  hot  haste,  bound  also  for  Spring  Hill,  though  he 
was  not  informed  as  to  the  force  of  the  enemy  against  which 
he  would  have  to  operate.  We,  too,  got  down  to  our  very 
best  long-distance  gait,  and  without  waiting  for  drum  or 
bugle,  or  any  other  accessories,  led  out  toward  the  point  of 
greatest  danger,  determined  to  reach  Spring  Hill  first. 
Seven  miles  out  from  Columbia  we  crossed  Rutherford 
Creek,  and  learning  here  that  a  strong  force  of  the  enemy 
was  marching  upon  this  point,  our  Division  was  halted  to 
defend  the  place  against  anything  and  everything  in  gray 
or  butternut  that  might  come  that  way,  while  Stanley,  with 
the  other  Division,  marched  rapidly  on.  Our  lines  were 
quickly  established  east  of  the  pike,  pickets  were  thrown 
well  out,  and  our  position  strongly  barricaded.  Here  we 
remained  during  the  rest  of  the  day,  practically  inactive. 
Back  of  us,  at  Columbia,  we  could  hear  the  familiar  boom 
of  cannon,  and  to  the  left  of  us,  at  Spring  Hill,  from  noon 
on,  borne  on  the  heavy  air  came  the  sullen  groan  of  distant 
artillery.  The  situation  was  grave  and  very  dangerous. 
But  here,  as  on  one  or  two  other  occasions,  the  very  insol- 
ence of  our  movements  brought  success  out  of  threatened 
disaster.  To  General  Stanley  and  the  brave  boys  with  him , 
is  due  great  credit  for  the  work  done  that  afternoon  in  sav- 


SPRING   HILL.  285 

ing  our  line  of  retreat  and  the  vast  wagon  train  upon  it. 
He  reached  Spring  Hill  just  in  time  to  bring  to  nought 
Forrest's  assault  upon  the  place.  So  admirably  did  he 
handle  his  little  force,  so  splendidly  did  he  post  his  artillery, 
and  so  quickly  did  he  transfer  this  brigade  and  that  regi- 
ment, that  he  fully  convinced  the  Confederate  leaders  that 
not  only  was  a  very  large  part  of  Schofield's  army  present, 
but  that  in  some  way  Thomas  had  sent  reinforcements  from 
Nashville.  The  uneven  contest  lasted  till  night,  and  when 
the  Confederate  army  went  into  camp,  they  did  not  dare 
advance  their  lines  so  as  even  to  cover  the  pike,  much  less 
to  occupy  it,  believing,  as  stated  above,  that  a  large  part  of 
the  National  Army  was  in  their  front.  The  whole  thing 
seems  like  a  piece  of  fiction. 

The  day  seemed  endlessly  long  as  we  lay  at  Rutherford 
Creek.  The  distant  thump  of  cannon  to  the  right  and  left 
of  us ;  the  anxious  looks  and  nervous  movements  of  our 
Brigade  and  Division  Cammanders;  the  mysterious  woods 
and  the  silent  hills  in  front  of  us;  our  own  knowledge  of  the 
actual  state  of  affairs,  all  conspired  to  give  to  the  time  and 
place  a  sense  of  oppression  which  my  pen  is  utterly  inade- 
quate to  describe.  We  seemed  to  be  standing  at  the  very 
mouth  of  a  volcano  ;  its  deep  rumblings  could  be  heard  on 
all  sides ;  the  dread  eruption  must  soon  come,  but  hour  by 
hour,  moment  by  moment,  the  fatal  explosion  was  delayed. 
Thus  the  day  wore  away,  and  thus  darkness  found  us. 

By  this  time  the  Confederate  plans  were  completely  un- 
covered, and  orders  were  at  once  issued  by  General  Scho- 
field  for  the  withdrawal  of  our  entire  army,  as  soon  as  it  was 
dark  enough  to  conceal  the  movements.  Stanley  was  to 
hold  his  ground  at  Spring  Hill;  Cox,  with  the  23d  Corps, 
was  to  withdraw  first  from  Columbia,  followed  by  General 
Wood's  Division  of  our  own  Corps,  and  as  these  forces 
passed,  our  Division  fell  in  the  rear,  the  entire  command 


286  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

marching  left  in  front,  ready  to  form  for  action  at  a  moment's 
warning.  Rapidly,  silently,  the  National  army  pushed  on 
in  its  flight,  our  flag  fluttering  even  in  the  leaden  darkness 
of  that  November  night.  The  sensations  of  the  hour  .were 
peculiar  ;  to  our  continual  surprise  we  were  permitted  to 
move  on,  and  on,  and  on.  As  we  neared  Spring  Hill,  the 
Confederate  camp  fires  seemed  to  be  on  the  pike  itself,  but 
as  we  came  nearer  the  space  became  wider,  and  a  way  of 
escape  was  opened,  narrow  and  dangerous,  to  be  sure,  but 
possible.  As  we  came  still  nearer  we  were  hushed  into  dead 
silence,  we  were  passing  the  front  of  our  powerful  enemy, 
almost  within  range  of  his  infantry  lines — asleep  surely,  now, 
but  dreaming  of  the  easy  victory  awaiting  them  in  the  morn- 
ing. Stealthily,  rapidly  we  moved  on,  expecting  momen- 
tarily that  the  crash  of  battle  would  end  our  good  fortune, 
and  that  we  would  be  plunged  into  the  midst  of  the  inde- 
scribable horrors  of  a  battle  in  the  dark.  Some  of  our  offi- 
cers were  actually  accosted  by  Confederate  officers  with 
"Who  goes  there?"  "  What  command,"  and  the  like,  to 
which  evasive  replies,  born  of  the  awful  necessities  of  the 
hour,  were  given,  and  we  moved  on,  nor  stopped  until  we 
were  in  position  at  Spring  Hill,  between  the  enemy  and  our 
homes.  How  thankful  we  felt  !  It  was  more  than  we  could 
understand,  more  than  I  can  understand  to  this  day,  except 
as  we  recognize  the  hand  of  a  good  Providence.  The  thank- 
fulness of  some  found  expression  in  words  more  or  less  pro- 
fane;  others  in  abuse  of  "  Old  Hood;"  others  with  broader 
views,  ascribed  to  God  the  praise.  One  brave  fellow  said, 
"  Well,  boys,  there's  some  hard  work  ahead  of  us,  or  the 
good  Lord  wouldn't  have  got  us  out  of  this."  And  he  was 
right. 

It  was  just  after  midnight,  but  we  had  accomplished 
wonders.  Huddled  together  in  some  confusion,  but  won- 
derfully clear  under  all  the  circumstances,  it  was  necessary 


SPRING    HILL   TO    FRANKLIN.  287 

that  our  whole  army  should  at  once  flee,  but  the  slumber- 
ing giant  awoke  and  again  put  us  in  peril.  General  Cox's 
Corps  was  moved  out  and  put  upon  its  best  gait  for  Frank- 
lin, with  orders  to  take  position  and  guard  the  bridges  over 
the  Harpeth  for  the  crossing  of  the  train  and  the  remainder 
of  the  army  as  it  came  up.  This  force  was  followed  by  the 
train  with  suitable  guards,  and  back  of  the  train,  Stanley. 
Our  cavalry  was  on  our  right  as  we  fell  back.  Like  a  great 
dragon  our  immense  train,  enveloped  in  the  mysterious 
darkness  of  that  eventful  night,  urged  its  way  with  whip 
and  lash  and  spur  toward  greater  safety.  Did  a  mule  so 
much  as  attempt  to  lift  up  his  voice  in  protest,  the  stinging 
"  snake  "  cut  short  his  story.  Thus  on  and  on  with  dis- 
couraged flop  of  ear,  neglected  wag  of  tail,  except  in  recog- 
nition of  the  lash;  with  back  so  straight  it  bent  decidedly 
upward;  with  rattling  chains,  and  clucking  wheels,  and 
vicious  tramp,  and  thoughts  we  knew  not  of,  our  good  but 
awfully  tried  friend,  the  mule,  brought  the  unwilling  train 
back  to  the  banks  of  the  Harpeth,  and  there  breathed  and 
brayed  until  the  bridges  were  repaired. 

But  we  were  not  to  go  in  peace.  About  2  o'clock  in  the 
morning  the  Confederate  cavalry  assaulted  our  train,  de- 
stroyed several  wagons,  and  threatened  serious  disaster. 
General  Kirby  was  immediately  called  upon  to  disperse 
them — ' '  Clear  the  road  and  keep  it  clear. ' '  The  Brigade  was 
off  in  a  moment,  headed  by  our  own  good  Regiment.  Short 
work  was  made  of  the  troopers,  and  the  whole  command 
again  moved  on.  Thus  the  night  wore  away,  morning 
dawned,  the  hours  fled,  but  not  till  afternoon  did  we  reach 
the  little  town  in  the  suburbs  of  which  within  three  hours 
would  fall  the  shock  of  fiercest  battle. 


288  vSTORY   OF   THE    IOIST    OHIO. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

THE    BATTLE   OF   FRANKUN. 

Great  was  the  disappointment  and  bitter  were  the  recrim- 
inations among  the  Confederate  Commanders  next  morning, 
November  3Oth,  when  it  was  learned  that  the  little  army 
which  they  were  that,  day  to  crush  and  destroy,  had  escaped 
unhurt.  General  Hood  laid  the  chief  blame  on  Cheatham, 
but  included  Cleburne  and  several  others.  The  fault  was 
his  own.  He  was  on  the  field  and  was  responsible.  The 
fact  is,  he  had  lost  his  head  the  day  before,  the  29th,  and  had 
missed  the  golden  opportunity  of  his  life.  One  of  his  im- 
petuous charges  made  on  our  nervous  columns  as  we  passed 
under  the  very  muzzles  of  his  guns,  would  surely  have 
broken  our  lines  and  scattered  our  forces.  But,  thanks  be 
to  God,  the  assault  was  not  made,  and  we  escaped. 

These  recriminations  were  not  loud,  but  they  were  ex- 
ceeding bitter,  and  very  deep.  That  Hood  was  angry  and 
stubborn  was  shown  in  every  act  and  word.  His  sullen  and 
haughty  air  served  only  to  intensify  the  bitterness  that 
rankled  in  the  bosom  of  his  corps  commanders,  who  had 
felt  the  sting  of  his  rebuke.  Nevertheless,  his  word  was 
law,  and  the  Confederate  hosts  were  soon  in  motion,  the 
spirit  animating  the  leaders  boding  no  good  to  the  Union 
army,  with  which,  before  the  set  of  sun,  they  were  to  engage. 
As  Cheatham,  Cleburne,  Brown  and  others  rode  along  that 
day,  they  nursed  their  wrath  and  resolved  to  wreak  ven- 
geance on  the  loyal  boys  in  blue,  whose  marvellous  escape 
the  night  before  had  been  the  immediate  cause  of  their  in- 
jured pride. 

It  had  not  been  the  intention  either  of  Thomas  or  of 
Schofield  to  accept  battle  at  Franklin  unless  compelled  to  do 
so  by  circumstances  which  they  could  not  control .  It  was 


LIEUTENANT  W.   R.  DAVIS, 

COMPANY  E. 

From  photograph  taken  in  1894. 


19 


290  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

necessary,  however,  to  delay  Hood  as  long  as  possible  at 
the  crossing  of  the  Harpeth,  in  order  to  gain  time  to  com- 
plete the  organization  of  Thomas's  army  at  Nashville. 
Troops  were  rapidly  arriving  in  the  latter  city,  the  defenses 
were  being  greatly  strengthened,  and  every  effort  was  being 
put  forth  to  be  ready  at  the  earliest  possible  moment  for  the 
Confederate  assault,  which,  like  the  coming  of  a  great  storm, 
could  be  clearly  discovered  in  the  distance.  The  fragment 
of  an  army  under  Schofield  could  not  hope  long  to  delay  the 
attack  of  the  enemy.  When  the  head  of  our  army  reached 
Franklin,  just  before  daylight  on  the  3oth,  it  was  discovered 
that  the  bridges  were  in  such  condition  that  neither  trains 
nor  artillery  could  cross,  a  discovery  that  would,  under  all 
the  circumstances,  paralyze  the  arm  of  any  but  the  most 
desperately  determined  commander.  It  made  it  necessary 
to  accept  battle  right  there,  with  all  the  odds  against  us,  un- 
less the  bridges  could  be  repaired  in  time  to  withdraw  before 
the  enemy  should  assault,  which  was  by  no  means  probable. 
The  pioneers  at  once  began  the  reconstruction  of  the  bridges, 
and  by  noon  had  a  crossing  prepared. 

The  hours  of  that  eventful  November  day  were  full  of 
intense  interest.  All  the  morning  long,  as  the  troops  ar- 
rived, they  were  assigned  their  position  in  the  line  of  battle 
and  ordered  to  intrench.  Picks  and  spades  and  shovels  were 
used  to  excellent  advantage,  and  soon  the  entire  front  of  the 
Twenty -third  Corps,  extending  from  the  river  east  of  the 
town  to  the  Carter's  Creek  road,  was  strongly  intrenched. 
In  the  meantime  our  great  wragon  train  rolled  in  through  an 
opening  left  for  the  purpose  in  the  line,  and  awaited  the 
completion  of  the  bridges.  The  head  of  Stanley's  Corps 
arrived  shortly  after  1 1  o'clock,  but  our  Division  and  Brig- 
ade did  not  get  in  till  full  12  o'clock. 

It  was  soon  found  that  the  Twenty-third  Corps  could 
not  defend  the  entire  front.  Kimball's  Division  was  there- 


THE    BATTLE    OF    FRANKLIN.  291 

fore  ordered  into  line  on  the  right,  our  front  extending  from 
the  Carter's  Creek  road  to  the  river.  General  Wood's  Di- 
vision was  sent  to  the  north  side  of  the  river  to  act  as 
emergency  might  require,  and  General  Wagner's  Divi- 
sion being  in  the  rear,  was  halted  a  half  mile  out  on  the 
pike,  Opdyke's  Brigade  only  being  brought  within  the  lines 
and  stationed  as  a  reserve  force  near  the  Columbia  pike. 
Whitaker's  Brigade  was  on  the  extreme  right  of  our  line, 
and  Kirby's  next  on  his  left.  The  space  allotted  us  did  not 
give  room  for  all  in  the  main  line.  Our  Regiment  and  the 
Eighty-first  Indiana,  having  seen  the  severest  service  during 
the  night  and  on  the  entire  march  from  Columbia,  were 
placed  in  reserve — a  novel  experience  for  the  loist  when  a 
fight  was  on.  Stacking  their  arms,  the  boys  soon  had  their 
front  lines  well  intrenched,  after  which,  completely  over- 
come with  sleep,  they  lay  around  as  best  they  could,  await- 
ing the  bursting  of  the  storm,  which  was  gathering  in  the 
hills  just  south  of  the  town. 

It  was  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  Our  lines  had  been 
fully  established ;  our  intrenchments  were  completed  ;  the 
musket  and  sword  had  again  been  substituted  for  the  pick 
and  shovel;  half  a  mile  out  in  our  front,  astride  the  Colum- 
bia pike,  two  Brigades  of  Wagner's  Division  were  posted  to 
observe  the  enemy's  movements  and  to  check  his  cavalry 
and  skirmishers,  and  everywhere  from  left  to  right,  from 
river  above  to  river  below  the  town,  our  grand  old  Flag,  never 
more  beautiful,  waved  and  flaunted  defiance  at  the  foe,  while 
beneath  its  inspiring  folds  loyal  boys  in  blue  stood  ready  to 
meet  the  enemy,  nor  feared  the  terrible  odds  against  them. 
Back  of  us  the  bridges  were  practically  clear;  our  trains 
were  rapidly  rolling  toward  Nashville;  Wood's  Division  was 
over  the  river,  and  so  posted  as  to  meet  promptly  any  emer- 
gency; the  artillery  of  the  23d  Corps  was  in  position  north 
of  the  river,  part  on  the  heights  and  part  in  Fort  Granger, 


292  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

ready  to  rake  the  enemy  front  and  flank— in  short,  the 
National  army  was  ready  and  waiting,  though  we  were 
under  orders  to  withdraw  as  soon  as  darkness  would  permit, 
if  by  that  time  Hood  should  not  attack. 

At  3:30  o'clock  a  messenger  from  the  front  brought  word 
that  the  enemy  were  forming  for  the  assault,  and  a  few 
minutes  later  their  columns  emerged  from  the  woods  and  came 
into  full  view.  Instantly  our  lines  became  as  iron.  Every 
man  looked  again  to  his  arms  and  settled  himself  for  desper- 
ate work.  Batteries  were  shotted  and  cannoneers  stood  to 
their  guns.  Officers  urged  their  men  to  deliberate  and  dead- 
ly aim.  Should  an  armed  enemy  by  any  chance  get  within 
our  lines,  he  was  to  be  doomed  to  instant  death.  Hood 
would  doubtless  hurl  column  after  column  upon  us,  but  we 
were  to  repel  them  every  one  with  merciless  slaughter.  But 
our  boys  needed  no  special  urging,  for  everywhere  along 
that  loyal  line  each  man  in  blue  seemed  to  have  resolved  to 
vie  with  the  bravest  of  his  comrades  in  deeds  of  heroic  dar- 
ing. Wagner's  two  Brigades,  Lane's  and  Conrad's,  were 
again  ordered  to  fall  back  upon  the  approach  of  the  Con- 
federate main  line,  and  under  no  circumstances  were  they  to 
attempt  to  hold  the  position  except  against  cavalry  and 
skirmishers. 

From  the  position  of  our  Regiment  on  the  extreme  right 
we  could  not  see  the  advancing  column  of  the  enemy,  and 
yet  we  were  fully  conscious  of  the  impending  conflict. 
Our  Brigade  skirmishers  were  thrown  well  out;  our  position 
was  carefully  barricaded;  our  batteries  well  posted,  and  here, 
as  elsewhere,  the  very  air  seemed  full  of  battle.  Silence, 
deep  and  oppressive,  similar  to  that  which  precedes  the  re- 
sistless hurricane,  fell  over  all  the  field.  In  such  a  moment 
the  mind  turns  naturally  to  other  days  and  other  scenes. 
It  is  no  reflection  upon  the  courage  and  patriotism  of  any 
boy  in  blue  that,  under  such  circumstances,  he  should  think 


THE   BATTLE   OF   FRANKLIN.  293 

of  home  and  the  dear  ones  gathered  there;  that  he  should 
once  more  open  the  locket  and  gaze  again  upon  the  face  of 
the  one  dearest  on  earth  to  him,  nor  yet  that  a  great  tear 
should  roll  down  his  sunbrowned  cheek  as  the  memories  of 
by-gone  days  swept  past. 

But  there  was  little  time  for  such  reflection.  The  Con- 
federate columns  were  already  moving  upon  us,  in  two  lines 
everywhere  and  in  three  along  the  Columbia  pike,  with 
cavalry  on  the  flanks,  useless  now,  but  ready  to  turn  con- 
fusion into  panic  and  disaster,  should  our  lines  break,  with 
flags  waving,  banners  flying  and  bayonets  gleaming.  As 
that  splendid  line  of  brown  and  gray  drew  momentarily 
nearer  and  nearer,  a  slight  rustle  ran  through  our  ranks,  for 
we  comprehended  more  and  more  fully  the  awful  storm  of 
lead  and  iron  and  glittering  steel  about  to  burst  upon  us. 
A  few  of  our  boys  were  strengthening  their  works,  but  for 
the  most  part  our  men  seemed  satisfied  with  our  defenses, 
and  long  before  the  rebels  had  come  within  range,  had 
leveled  their  guns,  measured  their  distance,  and  determined 
their  fire.  It  is  strange,  passing  strange,  even  to  this  day, 
that  under  such  circumstances,  with  the  enemy  in  full  view, 
coming  on  at  a  rapid  pace  with  arms  trailed,  ready  on  the 
instant  to  halt  and  deliver  their  fire,  even  while  the  Confed- 
erate artillery  was  wheeling  into  position  to  open  on  our 
outposts,  our  boys  found  time  and  inclination  to  joke  and 
be  merry.  But  .so  it  was,  and  so  it  had  been  on  other 
fields,  and  doubtless  so  it  was  in  the  magnificent  columns 
rushing  upon  us.  Never  before  had  we  been  able  to  see  so 
much  of  the  field  of  conflict — never  before  had  the  ad- 
vancing foe  been  so  long  in  sight.  Our  line  extended  in  a 
crude  semi-circle  from  the  railroad  and  river  above  to  the 
river  below  the  town,  along  the  crest  of  a  slight  rise  of 
ground  sloping  gently  to  the  hills  and  woods  in  which  the 
enemy  had  just  formed.  The  extreme  left  of  our  line  was 


294  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

held  by  General  Stiles,  then  Casement,  then  Reilly,  to  the 
Columbia  pike;  then  Strickland  and  Moore  to  the  Carter's 
Creek  pike,  then  Kimball's  Division  to  the  river. 

The  oppressive  silence,  which  for  some  time  seemed  to 
have  fallen  over  all  the  field,  was  suddenly  broken  by  a  vol- 
ley from  the  battery  with  Wagner's  men  out  on  the  Col- 
umbia pike.  To  this  the  Confederates  seemed  to  give  no 
heed,  except  to  increase  their  pace.  A  moment  later  their 
guns  were  again  empty.  By  this  time  the  Confederates  were 
within  range.  Wagner's  men  delivered  their  first  fire,  with- 
out so  much  as  checking  the  rebel  host.  Again  Wagner's 
front  blazed ;  this  time  staggering  the  front  of  the  Confed- 
erate triple  line,  but  eliciting  no  response.  At  this  moment 
a  rebel  battery  galloped  forward  to  open  on  Wagner's  bat- 
tery, which,  according  to  orders,  trotted  leisurely  to  the  rear, 
and  a  little  later  was  doing  heroic  service  on  our  main  line. 
To  the  surprise  and  consternation  of  the  Federal  command- 
er, Wagner's  men  showed  no  signs  of  falling  back,  though 
orders  to  that  effect  had  twice  been  repeated ;  but,  on  the 
•contrary,  they  were  evidently  preparing  to  resist  the  main 
Confederate  column,  now  wholly  uncovered  and  advancing 
in  magnificent  style.  Halting  only  one  moment,  the  rebel 
fringe  of  glittering  steel  came  down  to  a  charge,  and  our 
little  force  astride  the  pike  was  doomed  to  utter  rout.  The 
failure  to  fall  back  as  ordered  was  fatal.  The  slight  halt  to 
form  for  charge,  had  allowed  the  rebels  to  pass  both  flanks 
of  the  Union  outposts,  so  that  when  the  charge  came  a  scene 
of  indescribable  confusion  followed.  Rushing  out  of  their 
works  in  mad  panic,  Wagner's  men  made  their  way  as  best 
they  could  toward  our  main  lines,  distant  nearly  half  a  mile. 
The  Confederate  charging  column  was  now  ablaze.  The 
artillery  on  the  left  of  the  Union  line  sent  shot  and  shell 
into  the  ranks  of  the  brown  and  gray  on  that  front.  But 
the  batteries  on  the  right  and  left  of  the  Columbia  pike, 


THE    BATTLE    OF    FRANKLIN.  295 

the  very  key  to  the  whole  position,  were  necessarily  silent. 
The  confused  mass  of  friend  and  foe  came  surging  along  the 
pike,  the  Confederates  yelling,  firing,  smiting,  as  they  crowd- 
ed on  the  very  heels  of  our  fleeing  comrades.  The  track  of 
this  dreadful  storm,  this  epic  of  death,  was  marked  from  be- 
ginning to  end  with  the  bodies  of  Union  dead  and  wounded. 
It  was  a  scene  to  which  the  boys  in  the  National  army 
were  utter  strangers,  nothing  in  all  their  experience  af- 
fording a  parallel.  They  were  fairly  palsied,  not  on  account 
of  the  destruction  of  Wagner's  men,  which  was,  indeed, 
terrible,  but  with  loaded  muskets,  fixed  bayonets  and  can- 
non double  shotted,  they  were  helpless  to  render  assistance 
on  account  of  the  presence  of  Wagner's  men  in  the  immedi- 
ate front  of  the  charging  enemy.  As  the  yelling,  struggling 
mass  drew  nearer  and  nearer,  the  intensity  of  the  situation 
became  almost  unbearable,  and  taken  in  connection  with  the 
tumult  of  battle,  now  in  full  roar  on  both  flanks,  the  scene 
beggars  all  description.  Nearing  our  position,  the  Confed- 
erates naturally  halted  a  moment  to  adjust  their  lines  for  the 
supreme  effort  of  the  hour.  Madly  the  fugitive  boys  climbed 
and  clambered  over  our  works,  followed  closely  by  the  rebel 
line  now  on  them  again,  and  following  so  closely  as  to  carry 
everything  before  them.  Our  main  line  gave  way,  on  both 
sides  of  the  Columbia  pike,  for  the  distance  of  more  than 
two  regimental  fronts,  and  the  victorious  enemy  forced  them- 
selves nearly  one  hundred  yards  within  our  works  before 
they  were  brought  to  a  halt.  The  disaster  seemed  appalling. 
Our  lines  were  cut  in  two — crushed  at  the  Columbia  pike, 
involving  Reilly's  right  and  Strickland's  left.  Unless  the 
•break  could  be  promptly  restored,  our  forces  would  be 
doubled  back  by  superior  numbers  and  the  disaster  made 
permanent. 

It  was  at  the  moment  of  this  terrible  crash,  this  giving 
way  of  our  lines,  that  our  good  Regiment,  though  battered 


296  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

and  hammered  and  scorched  in  half  a  hundred  battles,  was 
ordered  from  the  right  to  the  Center  to  aid  in  restoring  our 
lost  position.  Promptly  and  with  great  enthusiasm  the  boys 
responded  to  this  new  and  terrible  test  of  their  courage  and 
loyalty.  Moving  at  first  at  a  quick  step,  then  at  a  double 
quick,  we  soon  reached  the  field  of  disaster.  Our  feelings 
on  nearing  the  scene  of  tumultuous  battle  cannot  be  described, 
nor  can  they  be  appreciated  by  any  except  those  who  have 
been  similarly  situated.  The  almost  unbroken  roar  of  mus- 
ketry along  our  entire  front;  the  hideous  yells  of  the  infuri- 
ated Confederates  as  column  after  column  charged;  the 
equally  unearthly  yells  of  Opdycke's  men  as  they  rushed 
upon  the  exultant  enemy  within  our  lines  near  the  Carter 
house ;  the  almost  incessant  crash  of  artillery  from  left  to 
right ;  the  shrieking  of  shot,  the  bursting  of  shell,  the  whiz 
and  bing  and  sickening  thud  of  the  minie;  the  wounded 
making  their  way  to  the  rear,  and  the  indescribable  din  of 
general  battle — all  had  a  direct  tendency  to  lessen  enthusi- 
asm, dampen  ardor,  and  check  the  spirit  of  assault.  Not  so 
on  this  occasion. 

How  strange  it  seems,  after  the  lapse  of  thirty  years,  to 
look  back  upon  these  awful  scenes.  Strange  beyond  com- 
prehension that  men  would  deliberately,  aye,  enthusiastically, 
plunge  headlong  into  the  very  thickest  of  the  fight,  where 
with  sword  and  musket,  and  club  and  bayonet,  each  took 
savage  delight  in  slaying  his  antagonist.  Courage,  man- 
hood, patriotism,  duty  and  loyalty,  all  were  concentrated  in 
the  strong  right  arm,  and,  consumed  with 'the  intense  ex- 
citement of  the  moment,  the  desire  to  wreak  vengeance  in 
merciless  slaughter  took  such  entire  control  of  every  man  as 
to  dull  the  sense  of  fear,  banish  the  presence  of  danger,  and 
stir  the  heart  to  deeds  of  heroic  daring. 

Reaching  the  field  of  carnage  almost  at  the  very  moment 
that  Opdycke's  men  rushed  to  the  rescue,  we  formed  near 


THE    BATTLE   OP   FRANKLIN.  297 

the  right  of  that  redoubtable  Brigade,  and,  fixing  bayonets, 
plunged  into  the  thickest  of  the  fray.  Our  first  volley  was 
delivered  at  close  range  and  was  terribly  fatal  in  its  results, 
but  not  a  few  of  our  own  boys  went  down  under  the  galling 
return  fire  of  the  enemy.  Then  the  bayonet!  No  pen  of 
mine  can  describe  the  scene  that  followed.  With  a  wild  yell 
that  rings  in  our  ears  to  this  day,  we  rushed  upon  the  enemy 
who  met  us  in  countercharge,  and  for  a  time  the  scale  of 
victory  seemed  to  hang  in  even  balance.  We  made  many 
captures,  and  hurried  them  to  the  rear,  but  their  places 
seemed  to  be  taken  by  others,  and  the  fight  went  furiously 
on.  During  a  slight  lull  in  the  conflict,  our  lines  were  re- 
adjusted, and  again,  with  Opdycke  and  others,  we  charged 
the  enemy,  smote  them  hip  and  thigh,  and  cast  them  out, 
just  as  a  fresh  Confederate  column  came  charging  upon  our 
front,  meeting  us  at  our  breastworks.  The  struggle  for  the 
possession  of  this  barricade  was  exceedingly  fierce,  but 
most  fortunately  for  us,  many  of  the  troops  that  at  the  first 
terrible  onset  had  been  carried  back  to  the  rear,  now  came 
to  our  assistance,  and  we  soon  compelled  the  Confederates  to 
seek  shelter  in  the  ditch  at  the  foot  of  our  works.  Our  line, 
with  the  accessions  referred  to,  was  four  deep.  Those  in 
the  rear  loaded  their  guns  and  passed  them  forward  to  the 
front  line,  and  thus  we  were  able  to  keep  up  a  very  rapid 
and  accurate  fire.  Several  of  the  boys,  prominent  among 
them  Lieutenant  W.  R.  Davis,  formerly  of  Company  E,  but 
then  commanding  Company  K,  secured  positions  covering 
the  crouching  lines  of  brown  and  gray,  and  did  most  effect- 
ive work.  Thus  the  fight  continued  with  us  till  night. 
Elsewhere  along  the  line  the  struggle  seemed  to  be  exceed- 
ingly fierce.  Opdycke  had  restored  the  line  on  our  left  and 
bravely  held  it,  though  most  viciously  assailed  time  and 
again.  Still  further  toward  our  left,  brave  Jack  Casement 
had  fairly  piled  his  front  full  of  rebel  dead,  and  on  our  right, 


298  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO.  . 

with  equal  bravery,  General  Sherwood  held  to  his  position 
with  a  tenacity  that  baffled  every  effort  of  the  desperate  foe 
to  force  him  back.  Not  an  inch  did  the  brave  boys  of  the 
1 1  ith  Ohio  yield.  Like  a  great  stone  wall  they  held  the  left 
of  Rugers'  unbroken  line.  Further  to  the  right  and  near 
the  Carter's  Creek  road,  the  Confederates  hurled  one  column 
after  another  upon  the  Federal  lines,  only  to  be  broken  and 
rolled  back  in  merciless  slaughter.  Still  further  to  the  right, 
Kimball's  guns  were  in  full  roar,  and  everywhere  the  mighty 
contest  raged.  Our  lines  blazed  from  river  to  river;  the 
artillery  at  the  front,  supplemented  by  that  on  the  heights 
and  in  Fort  Wagner,  poured  shot  and  shell  and  grape  and 
canister  into  the  struggling  Confederate  masses  which, 
despite  the  awful  slaughter,  kept  up  the  mad  assault.  A 
Federal  battery  wheeled  into  position  east  of  the  river,  and, 
having  an  enfilading  fire,  plowed  great  furrows  in  the  ranks 
of  the  enemy.  But,  nothing  daunted,  they  renewed  the 
struggle  at  every  point.  Thus  till  night — till  long  after 
dark,  when  repulsed  everywhere,  with  not  a  vestige  of  vic- 
tory which  they  could  claim,  Hood's  great  army  lapsed  into 
dogged  silence,  beaten,  broken,  bleeding  and  disappointed. 

Scarcely  a  breath  of  air  stirred  during  the  contest,  and  a 
peculiar  state  of  the  atmosphere  caused  the  smoke  of  the 
battle,  which  grew  more  and  more  dense  as  the  conflict  pro- 
gressed, to  settle  over  all  the  field,  so  that  long  before  night 
it  was  almost  impossible  to  distinguish  friend  from  foe  at  any 
considerable  distance.  But  beneath  this  great  sulphurous 
canopy  the  battle  raged  and  roared  incessantly. 

But  darkness,  deep  and  mysterious,  covered  the  field. 
In  our  own  front,  at  least  three  separate  squads  of  rebel 
soldiers  sought  to  deliver  themselves  into  our  hands  during 
the  evening.  But  they  had  guns  in  their  hands  and  we 
opened  on  them  at  sight.  "  For  God's  sake,  don't  fire,  don't 
fire  ;  we  want  to  surrender,"  but  many  had  already  fallen. 


CAPT.   LEN.  D.  SMITH, 

COMPANY  C. 

From   photograph  taken   in   1882. 


3OO  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

"Throw  down  your  guns!"  cried  Lieutenant  Davis,  but 
though  this  was  complied  with,  he  feared  trickery  and  covered 
the  squad  with  muskets  at  an  aim  until  they  were  prisoners 
within  our  lines.  To  Comrade  Knott  Crockett  and  a  guard 
they  were  committed  to  be  taken  to  headquarters.  In  due 
time  Crockett  returned,  and  soon  another  squad  of  rebels 
sought  to  come  to  us.  Again  our  muskets  blazed,  and  more 
than  half  the  twenty-five  fell;  the  remainder,  throwing  away 
their  guns,  reached  our  lines  and  were  conducted  by  Crock- 
ett to  headquarters.  Within  an  hour,  still  another  squad 
made  the  same  attempt  and  met  with  the  same  fortune.  It 
was  on  his  return  from  delivering  this  third  detachment  that 
the  brave  Crockett  fell. 

At  length,  about  10  o'clock,  the  field  became  quiet,  and 
General  Schofield  ordered  the  immediate  withdrawal  of  our 
army  to  the  north  side  of  the  Harpeth.  The  loist  was  at 
once  withdrawn  from  the  front  line  and  returned  to  its  place 
in  the  Brigade.  An  accidental  fire  in  the  town  made  it  so  light 
that  the  order  to  withdraw  had  to  be  delayed  until  it  could  be 
extinguished,  so  that  not  till  12  o'clock,  midnight,  did  our 
troops  begin  to  cross.  A  strong  picket  line  was  left  in  our 
front,  both  to  deceive  the  enemy  and  to  give  the  alarm 
should  they  attempt  to  assault,  while  the  remainder  of 
the  army  hurriedly  and  as  quickly  as 'possible  crossed  the 
river  and  at  once  took  up, the-  line  of  march  for  Nashville, 
whither  our  trains  had  gone,  some  hours  before,  under  a 
strong  cavalry  escort.  Our  own  Division  (Kimball's)  should 
have  been  the  first  to  cross  according  to  orders,  but  other 
troops  moving  too  early,  blocked  the  way  so  that  we  were 
the  last  to  leave  the  field.  While  waiting  our  chance  to 
cross,  word  was  brought  General  Kirby  that  the  picket  line 
left  in  our  Brigade  front  had  by  some  mistake  been  with- 
drawn. He  at  once  took  a  small  force,  went  again  to  the 
front,  re-established  the  line  and  returned  in  lime  to  cross 


A   TOUCHING   SIGHT.  301 

with  the  Division.  Our  pickets  were  safely  withdrawn  later 
and  our  entire  army  was  on  the  wing  for  Nashville. 

Some  time  before  daylight  the  Confederates  discovered 
that  our  works  in  front  of  them  were  empty,  and  soon  the 
news  seemed  to  have  spread  throughout  the  town.  The 
people  came  out  from  their  hiding  places,  and  with  torch 
and  lantern  began  to  search  the  field.  They  were  joined  by 
hundreds  of  the  boys  in  gray,  who  sought  to  learn  the  fate 
of  missing  comrades.  The  sight  from  the  north  bank  of  the 
river  is  said  to  have  been  very  beautiful  and  touching.  A 
thousand  lights  moving  here  and  there  over  that  silent  field, 
among  the  dead  and  wounded,  now  halting  to  identify  an 
upturned  face;  now  ministering  to  the  wants  of  the  wounded, 
now  bearing  off  a  friend  for  better  treatment,  now  grouping 
around  some  object  of  special  interest,  but  soon  scattering 
to  continue  the  search.  All  this  in  the  grim  darkness  and 
dead  silence  of  the  night  made  an  impression  on  the  be- 
holders that  can  never  be  removed .  The  withdrawal  of  our 
army  was  necessarily  sudden,  and  so  hurried  that  we  could 
not  bring  off  our  dead  and  badly  wounded,  though  our 
splendid  ambulance  corps  did  most  excellent  service,  re- 
moving all  the  wounded  that  could  bear  transportation. 

Our  march  to  Nashville  was  orderly  and  regular,  but 
hurried.  It  was  generally  believed  that  Hood  had  been  so 
severely  handled  that  he  would  make  no  serious  attempt  to 
cut  us  off.  Indeed,  his  army  was  in  no  shape  to  take  the 
offensive  for  some  days,  though  at  daylight  his  lines  were 
formed,  and  a  forward  movement  was  ordered. 

Arriving  at  Nashville  about  9  A.M.,  more  dead  than  alive, 
having  had  neither  rest  nor  sleep  for  more  than  two  days 
and  two  nights,  with  a  battle  thrown  in,  we  were  deployed 
in  line  and  allowed  to  rest,  a  privilege  we  all  embraced  with 
alacrity.  How  sweet,  how  refreshing  was  sleep  even  on  the 
cold,  wet  ground  that  raw7  December  day  ! 


302  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

THE   BATTLE   OF   NASHVILLE. 

Next  morning,  December  2nd,  we  were  assigned  our  reg- 
ular position  in  line,  and  in  the  evening,  the  enemy  having 
made  their  appearance,  we  were  ordered  to  intrench.  This 
we  accomplished  in  time  to  get  some  sleep  before  morning. 
The  line  held  by  our  Corps  was  about  one  and  a  half  miles 
south  of  the  city,  the  left,  our  Division,  resting  across  the 
Granny  White  pike  and  extending  westward  until  it  joined 
General  A.  J.  Smith's  lines. 

Daylight  revealed  the  fact  that  the  enemy  had  made  a 
decided  advance  during  the  night,  and  that  they  were 
strongly  intrenched  in  front  of  our  Corps  on  a  ridge  parallel 
with  the  one  we  occupied.  Skirmishers  were  well  out  on 
both  sides,  and  again  the  old  rattle  and  bang,  so  familiar  on 
the  Atlanta  Campaign,  greeted  our  ears.  Our  artillery  at 
once  opened  in  fine  style,  but  were  not  able  to  provoke  a 
response  for  three  days,  and  then  only  two  or  three  pieces 
replied.  They  were  short  of  ammunition.  The  enemy 
made  no  attempt  to  assault  us  or  otherwise  molest  us,  and 
we  soon  grew  to  regard  their  presence  with  indifference,  and 
yet  we  often  cast  our  eyes  southward,  and  wondered  when 
and  what  next.  On  the  8th  the  enemy  extended  their  lines 
further  toward  our  left,  thus  securing  and  holding  the  hills 
which  cost  us  so  dear  a  few  days  later.  Hood  was  stub- 
bornly quiet,  but  he  was  doing  some  good  work  in  the  way 
of  intrenching.  Rumors  were  current  in  camp  on  the  8th 
to  the  effect  that  our  Corps  would  assault  within  a  day  or 
two — as  soon  as  the  troops  could  be  got  into  position  to  de- 
fend the  whole  line,  if  our  advance  should  result  in  general 
battle.  About  2  o'clock  the  same  day,  the  8th,  the  Confed- 


IN   POSITION   AT    NASHVILLE.  303 

erates  pushed  their  picket  lines  forward  with  heavy  sup- 
ports, and  forced  our  skirmish  line  back  a  short  distance  on 
our  Division  front,  extending  also  some  distance  along  the 
front  of  the  Twenty-third  Corps.  General  Kimball  soon 
sent  a  force  forward  and  restored  the  line  to  its  old  position. 
Later  in  the  evening  word  was  received  that  a  general  as- 
sault would  be  made  on  the  loth.  But  this  was  not  to  be.  On 
the  9th  a  severe  storm  of  sleet  and  snow  and  rain,  set  in, 
soon  covering  the  whole  face  of  the  country  with  a  glare  of 
hard,  slippery  ice.  This  made  it  necessary  to  recall  the 
order  to  assault  on  the  morning  of  the  loth.  The  storm 
and  excessive  cold  weather  continued  for  three  days,  the 
men  of  both  armies  suffering  severely.  The  morning  of  the 
i4th  found  the  weather  much  modified,  the  ice  mostly  gone, 
but  the  ground  very  muddy,  and  the  air  so  densely  foggy 
that  the  rebel  works  could  not  be  seen.  At  3  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  a  council  of  Corps  Commanders  met  with  General 
Thomas  and  decided  to  attack  early  next  morning,  if  the 
weather  would  permit. 

While  all  this  was  transpiring,  another  play,  hidden 
from  public  view,  was  being  enacted.  The  effort  was  being 
made  by  the  authorities  at  Washington,  and  also  by  General 
Grant,  to  compel  General  Thomas  to  move  upon  the  enemy 
regardless  of  the  impassable  condition  of  the  whole  face  of 
the  country.  There  was  ice  everywhere,  hard,  slippery, 
glaring  ice,  upon  which  neither  man  nor  beast  could  stand 
with  any  assurance,  much  less  move  with  any  certainty. 
To  attempt  to  move  under  such  circumstances  would  have 
been  the  height  of  folly  and  absurdity,  and  yet  Thomas  had 
received  positive  orders  to  do  so — but  he  refused.  He  was 
threatened  with  dismissal  if  he  did  not  obey,  but  he  still  re- 
fused, and  finally  Gen.  John  A.  lyOgan  was  sent  to  Nash- 
ville with  instructions  to  relieve  General  Thomas  unless  on 
his  arrival  he  should  find  the  army  in  motion.  Of  this  last 


304  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

measure  General  Thomas  knew  nothing  for  a  long  time, 
General  I^ogan  wisely  saying  nothing  about  it  when  he 
came  to  understand  the  circumstances.  But  the  assault  was 
in  progress  when  he  reached  Nashville. 

The  afternoon  of  the  I4th  was  a  busy  time  for  Army, 
Corps  and  Division  Commanders.  The  details  of  the  great 
battle  were  being  arranged  as  far  as  such  uncertain  things 
can  be  arranged;  troops  were  being  assigned  to  positions, 
definite  instructions  were  being  prepared  for  this  and  that 
Corps  and  Division,  ammunition  was  being  distributed, 
rations  prepared,  and,  equally  important,  the  strength  of 
the  enemy  was  carefully  considered,  the  weak  places  in  his 
lines  discussed,  his  probable  mode  of  defense,  and  his  next 
point  of  rally  after  being  driven  off,  and  a  thousand  and  one 
other  things  now7  wholly  lost  to  the  memory  of  a  man 
who  has  not  seen  an  army  for  thirty  years.  Everything  was 
taken  into  account,  and  6  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  i5th 
set  for  the  hour  of  attack.  In  the  assault  to  be  made  no 
thought  was  given  to  the  idea  of  failure — we  were  to  suc- 
ceed, no  matter  what  the  opposition,  no  matter  what  the 
odds.  The  National  army  was  to  go  forward,  and  forward 
only — the  enemies  of  the  Flag  were  to  be  crushed;  Hood's 
army  was  to  be  annihilated.  This  was  the  inspiration,  this 
the  purpose. 

Skirmishing  had  been  especially  heavy  all  day  of  the 
1 4th,  and  now  and  then  the  deep  toned  artillery  gave  tongue 
to  its  wrath.  The  belief  seemed  quite  general  that  another 
crisis  had  been  reached,  and  that  a  battle  was  likely  to  occur 
at  any  moment.  When  the  order  came  to  be  ready  to  move 
at  daylight  next  morning,  we  boys  in  the  ranks  put  our 
affairs  in  order,  prepared  our  rations,  examined  our  arms 
and  sat  down  to  write  to  the  dear  folks  at  home,  after  which 
we  turned  in  for  a  sound  sleep  before  entering  upon  the 
dangers  of  a  day  of  battle.  Of  course,  we  were  not  posted 


THE    BATTLE   OF   NASHVILLE.  305 

as  to  the  details — we  simply  knew  that  we  were  to  be  ready 
to  move  at  daylight,  and  anybody  could  guess  the  rest. 

Reveille  sounded  at  4  o'clock  next  morning,  the  i5th, 
and  at  once  our  great  army  was  astir.  A  hasty  breakfast 
was  prepared,  and  at  daylight  we  were  ready  for  the  work  of 
the  day.  A  heavy  fog  hung  over  the  field,  making  it  quite 
impossible  to  form  the  line  for  assault,  but  we  soon  moved 
out  toward  our  position,  and  about  9  o'clock  were  in  position 
ready  to  attack.  The  troops  on  our  right  had  a  much 
longer  march  to  make,  a  long  swing  of  their  extreme  flank 
before  they  could  strike  the  enemy's  left,  and  they  were 
hindered  by  several  Confederate  outposts,  all  of  which,  how- 
ever, fell  into  Union  hands.  To  enable  our  Cavalry  to  gain 
the  Confederate  left-rear,  General  Schofield  wras  transferred 
to  the  right  and  ordered  to  move  into  position  beyond 
Smith.  At  length  our  Center  and  Right  were  close  up  to  the 
enemy,  and  our  lines  were  on  the  point  of  moving  to  the 
attack.  In  the  meantime,  General  Steedman  had  moved  out 
before  6  o'clock  under  cover  of  the  fog,  and  had  fallen  so 
heavily  upon  Hood's  right  that  the  Confederate  general  be- 
gan to  look  for  serious  trouble  on  that  flank.  Steedman 
played  his  part  splendidly  and  held  on  like  grim  death. 
While  Hood  was  looking  for  a  general  assault  on  his  right, 
our  lines  were  coming  into  shape  on  his  left,  as  faintly  out- 
lined above.  But  the  Confederate  Commander  soon  discov- 
ered his  mistake,  and  at  once  made  dispositions  to  meet  our 
Center  and  Right.  By  this  time  the  fog  had  lifted  and  the 
day  was  clear.  From  our  front  the  enemy  could  be  clearly 
seen  in  their  works;  they  were  evidently  expecting  us. 
Beatty's  Division  on  our  left  was  the  first  to  be  ordered  for- 
ward. Post's  Brigade  of  that  Division  charged  Montgomery 
Hill,  strongly  held  by  the  enemy  and  gallantly  carried  it, 
the  Confederates  falling  back  in  some  confusion  to  their 
main  line.  This  was  i  o'clock  in  the  afternoon .  Far  to  our 


csi 

3  I 

X    :. 

CO     -« 

•<  rn 
z   X 


BATTLE   OF   NASHVIUvK.  307 

right  there  seemed  to  be  heavy  fighting,  judging  from  the 
frequent  discharge  of  artillery  in  that  direction.  The  lines 
were  also  tightening  along  the  Confederate  center  and  left. 
Three  redouts  had  already  been  captured  and  two  strong 
outposts  had  been  driven  in.  A  Confederate  battery  in  our 
front  on  a  ridge  strongly  held  by  the  enemy,  was  pouring 
shot  and  shell  into  our  lines,  and  General  Elliott  was  twice 
ordered  to  take  the  hill,  but  he  preferred  to  await  the 
further  advance  of  General  Smith  on  his  right,  before  ven- 
turing to  assault.  The  situation,  however,  soon  became  very 
serious,  and  General  Kimball  was  ordered  to  make  the  attack. 
Acting  upon  the  instant,  he  ordered  Kirby's  Brigade  to 
charge  the  position.  "Take  that  hill,  Kirby!"  he  said. 
"  I'll  do  it !"  was  the  laconic  reply  of  our  brave  Commander, 
as  he  saluted.  We  were  already  in  line,  and  waiting 
only  to  fix  bayonets,  moved  briskly  forward,  then  charged 
impetuously.  After  a  severe  struggle  the  hill  was  carried, 
the  enemy  driven,  and  our  main  line  in  this  quarter  advanced. 
With  the  loss  of  Montgomery  Hill,  and  the  eminence  just 
referred  to,  the  Confederates  abandoned  their  advanced  po- 
sition and  fell  back  on  their  main  line,  the  northwest  angle 
of  which  was  a  short  distance  in  our  front.  This  part  of  the 
Confederate  line  was  considered  by  them  to  be  exceedingly 
strong.  It  was  protected  not  only  by  a  heavy  stone  wall 
along  the  Hillsboro'  pike,  but  also  by  three  redouts,  strongly 
constructed  and  commanding  the  approaches  from  the  west, 
the  north,  and  the  northwest.  These  works  were  defended 
by  the  men  of  Stewart's  command,  who  had  been  ordered 
on  no  account  to  yield  the  position. 

No  sooner  had  Kirby  succeeded  in  gaining  the  hill  last 
referred  to  than  were  we  subjected  to  a  terrible  fire  from 
this  same  main  line.  The  practiced  eye  of  our  Commander 
at  once  detected  a  safer  position  a  short  distance  further  to 
the  front,  and  immediately  the  command  was  moved  for- 


308  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

ward.     This  brought  us  under  the  shelter  of  a  sunken  road, 
and  afforded  great  advantage. 

Meanwhile,  the  troops  on  the  extreme  right  had  been 
crowding  the  Confederates  at  every  point — had  wrested  from 
them  one  or  two  detached  redouts,  and  had  compelled  them 
to  abandon  a  portion  of  their  main  line.  Almost  at  the 
same  instant  that  Kirby  moved  forward  to  the  sunken  road, 
the  battle  along  Smith's  front  took  on  tremendous  propor- 
tions, resulting  in  the  capture  of  a  portion  of  the  stone  wall 
near  its  southern  extremity.  Taking  advantage  of  this 
great  gain,  the  Union  line  formed  at  once  to  roll  the  Con- 
federates back  toward  the  angle  in  the  greatest  possible 
confusion.  The  crisis  on  this  part  of  the  field  had  arrived; 
the  moment  for  supreme  effort  was  at  hand.  With  a  wild 
rush  and  a  yell  Kimball's  men  charged  impetuously  up  the 
hill  in  their  front,  striking  the  enemy  at  the  angle  on  the 
Hillsboro  pike,  and  for  some  distance  to  the  left  of  it,  and  at 
the  same  moment  Smith's  men  assailed  them  from  the  break 
further  south,  the  two  forces  carrying  terror  and  dismay  to 
the  hearts  of  rebel  defenders  of  that  strong  line.  Smith 
made  headway  and  gained  the  rear  of  the  stone  wall,  threat- 
ening a  portion  of  this  line  with  capture.  Kimball  assaulted 
point  blank  in  front,  and  with  such  viciousness  as  soon  to 
break  over  their  works.  The  battery  in  their  northern 
redout  attempted  to  enfilade  our  lines  as  we  charged,  but  we 
at  once  came  so  close  to  the  rebel  works  that  their  firing  of 
necessity  ceased.  Widening  the  breach  and  pouring  within 
their  works,  Kirby  and  others  took  the  Confederate  host  in 
reverse,  spreading  disaster  and  confusion  on  every  hand. 
Their  batteries  were  powerless ;  portions  of  their  line  were 
in  panic;  there  was  safety  only  in  flight,  and  to  this  they  at 
once  resorted,  leaving  us  in  complete  possession  of  their 
works,  including  the  four-gun  battery  stationed  in  the 
redout  referred  to  and  many  small  arms.  How  we  cheered 


BATTLE   OF   NASHVILLE.  309 

and  yelled  and  sent  showers  of  lead  after  the  retreating  foe. 
Our  part  in  the  day's  great  battle  had  been  most  important, 
for  we,  with  others,  had  completely  broken  the  Confederate 
center,  and  rolled  their  lines  back  right  and  left. 

The  main  body  of  the  Confederates  fell  back  toward 
their  right,  and  soon  became  sullen  and  stubborn.  Orders 
were  at  once  issued  for  our  Corps  to  press  forward  toward 
the  Franklin  pike,  and,  if  possible,  to  form  across  it,  facing 
south.  But  darkness  prevented  this,  and  our  line  was 
formed  some  distance  west  of  that  pike  and  parallel  with  it, 
the  Confederates  holding  the  road  in  strong  force.  Here 
we  slept,  resting  on  our  arms.  The  night  was  an  uncom- 
fortable one,  on  account  of  the  rawness  of  the  weather  and 
the  wet,  muddy  condition  of  the  ground.  Fires  were  not 
allowed,  and  we  nibbled  dry  hard- tack  and  cold  bacon. 
The  successes  of  the  day  augured  well  for  the  morrow.  We 
thought  if  Hood  could  not  hold  the  positions  he  had  deliber- 
ly  chosen,  there  was  little  doubt  but  that  we  could  route 
him  next  day  from  the  positions  we  had  compelled  him  to 
take.  During  the  night,  however,  he  made  good  use  of  his 
time.  Spades  were  again  trump,  and  every  boy  in  gray  did 
his  best  to  render  his  position  as  nearly  invulnerable  as  pos- 
sible. Along  the  crest  of  Overton's  Hill  on  his  right,  and 
of  what  is  since  known  as  Shy's  Hill  on  his  left,  Hood  con- 
structed very  strong  defensive  works,  and  connected  them 
with  an  intrenched  line  well  chosen  and  easy  of  defense.  In 
front  of  this  he  had  also  established  a  strong  advanced  line, 
also  intrenched,  into  which  he  threw  a  fresh  force  from  his 
right.  His  line  was  much  shorter  than  it  had  been  and  gave 
some  promise  that  it  might  be  defended  successfully.  All 
this  kept  the  Confederate  army  busy  most  of  the  night. 

With  the  earliest  dawn  we  were  in  line,  tired  and  sleepy, 
to  be  sure,  but  awake  to  the  demands  and  exactions  of  an- 
other day  of  battle.  The  enemy  were  soon  discovered  to  be 


310  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

in  considerable  force  in  our  front,  near  the  Franklin  pike, 
toward  which,  driving  their  stubborn  skirmishers  before  us, 
we  steadily  advanced,  until  about  8  o'clock,  when,  by  a  de- 
termined charge,  we  forced  their  position,  and  sent  them  on 
the  run  down  the  pike,  southward.  In  thus  advancing,  our 
Division  took  everything  clean,  leaving  nothing  to  be  guard- 
ed or  strengthened.  At  first  it  was  thought  that  Hood  had 
fallen  back  into  the  Brentwood  Hills,  and  that  he  would  then 
offer  battle  again.  Turning  to  the  southward,  our  Division 
moved  cautiously  down  the  Franklin  pike,  and  coming  close 
up  to  the  Confederate  position,  we  went  into  line,  our  Di- 
vision in  reserve.  We,  some  of  us  at  least,  thought  that  we 
might  be  able  to  see  a  part  of  this  fight  without  having  to 
take  an  active  part.  But  in  this  we  were  greatly  mistaken. 
A  reconnoissance  revealed  the  enemy  present  in  full  force, 
ready  to  stake  the  issues  of  the  campaign  on  the  result. 
General  Smith,  on  our  extreme  right,  had  been  able  to  make 
progress  very  slowly — Shy's  Hill,  and  the  approaches  to  it 
had  offered  very  strong  .opposition,  so  that,  not  arriving  in 
our  vicinity  at  the  time  expected,  there  was  a  break  of  nearly 
half  a  mile  on  the  right  of  our  line.  Into  this  Kimball's 
Division  was  promptly  thrown,  and  our  dream  of  simply 
witnessing  the  battle  went  glimmering.  We  forced  ourselves 
close  up  to  the  enemy,  who  was  strongly  intrenched.  Off 
to  the  right — indeed,  away  round  to  the  rear  of  the  enemy's 
left,  the  tell-tale  artillery  reported  something  of  the  progress 
of  the  battle  in  that  quarter,  and  as  it  grew  in  violence  and 
came  nearer,  we  felt  sure  that  we  were  bound  to  win.  At 
the  same  time,  the  heavy  discharges  of  artillery  on  our  left, 
both  from  our  own  guns,  and  the  crashing  response  of  the 
Confederate  guns  from  the  hills  and  ridges  held  by  them, 
showed  that  the  battle  was  again  joined,  and  that  the  crisis 
of  the  conflict  must  soon  be  reached.  It  was  now  between  3 
o'clock  and  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  Steedman  had  forced 


O.  J.   BENHAM, 

QUARTERMASTER. 


312  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST  OHIO. 

his  way  against  all  opposition,  and  now  was  in  line  ready  for 
action  east  of  the  Overton  Hill,  on  which  the  enemy's  right 
rested  behind  strong  works.  Joining  Steedman's  right  was 
our  Corps  (Woods),  our  Division  being  on  the  right  of  that 
command.  On  our  right,  and  bending  slightly  back  in  con- 
formity to  the  enemy's  strong  works,  was  Smith;  and  on 
Smith's  right,  Schofield  and  our  cavalry  well  around  to  the 
enemy's  rear.  Everywhere  the  Old  Flag,  grand  and  beau- 
tiful as  ever,  waved  and  snapped  in  the  afternoon  breeze. 
In  front  of  us  were  rebel  flags  and  banners  without  number, 
many  of  which  were  destined  to  fall  into  better  hands  before 
the  coming  of  night.  All  this  time  the  artillery  of  both 
sides  was  very  busy,  and  the  boys  on  the  skirmish  line 
fought  incessantly  over  the  narrow  space  that  separated 
them.  When,  at  3:40  o'clock,  General  Smith  carried  the 
rebel  position  at  the  angle  in  his  front,  the  gathered  storm 
burst  all  along  our  splendid  line  in  measureless  fury.  The 
cheers  and  yells  of  Smith's  veterans  as  they  thronged  over 
the  enemy's  works,  were  caught  up  by  the  men  of  Kim- 
ball's  command,  as  our  own  Brigade  and  Regiment  led  in 
the  assault  upon  the  Confederates  in  our  front,  nor  stayed 
until  we  had  routed  the  enemy,  horse,  foot  and  dragoon, 
and  had  them  on  the  run  for  safer  quarters.  The  Division 
on  our  left  charged  a  few  minutes  later,  catching  the  left  of 
the  rebel  line  where  we  had  broken  it  off,  and  rolling  it  back 
in  promiscuous  rout,  held  the  line  and  formed  for  work 
against  the  strong  works  on  the  hill.  OfF  to  our  right  the 
Confederates  on  Shy's  Hill  were  in  hard  luck.  Their  friends 
on  their  left  had  been  driven  from  the  field,  and  Smith's 
men  were  now  where  the  lines  of  gray  had  been  ;  Schofield 
was  hard  upon  their  left,  his  artillery  plowing  their  ranks 
savagely  ;  and  still  further  on  their  left  indeed,  on  the  rear 
of  their  position,  Wilson's  cavalry,  now  dismounted,  was 
about  to  close  in  upon  them.  The  game  was  up,  safety 


BATTLE   OF   XASHVILLLE.  313 

could  be  secured  only  in  flight — the  word  was  given,  the 
retreat  began,  soon  to  be  turned  into  panic,  by  Smith's 
guns  and  pursuit  by  our  cavalry.  The  darkness  which  soon 
settled  over  the  field  covered  the  wild  flight  of  the  enemy 
as  they  rushed  pell-mell,  helter-skelter,  every  fellow  for 
himself,  for  the  shelter  of  the  hills  of  Brentwood. 

On  the  right  of  their  line  matters  were  little  better.  The 
knowledge  of  the  crushing  of  their  left  fell  like  a  pall  upon 
the  enthusiasm  of  the  brave  fellows  who  were  still  defend- 
ing their  right.  There  was  no  hope  of  success — half  their 
army  was  already  gone,  the  plain  and  hillsides  in  front  and 
on  both  flanks  were  full  of  Union  troops  flushed — wild  with 
visions  of  completest  victory — and  still  the  gray  lines  held 
on,  but  not  long.  Steedman  came  thundering  up  on  their 
right,  Kimball  swung  in  on  their  left,  and  Beatty  came  at 
them  directly  in  front,  while  Elliott  worked  well  around 
toward  their  rear  and  threatened  to  cut  off  their  retreat ; 
artillery  and  musketry  on  every  hand,  and  charging  columns 
concentrating  from  right  and  left  and  front — here,  too,  the 
game  was  up,  the  Confederates  let  go,  and  rushed  madly 
southward  along  the  Franklin  pike,  thankful  for  nothing 
but  the  falling  darkness.  If  the  left  of  their  line  had  fled 
in  utter  rout,  the  right  was  now  no  better.  Following  up 
our  advantage,  the  National  Army  kept  at  their  heels  till 
darkness  prevented  further  efforts.  We  had  on  other  oc- 
casions followed  the  retreat  of  this  same  great  army;  we  had 
passed  through  their  camps  soon  after  they  had  left  them, 
but  never  had  we  witnessed  such  a  scene  as  was  here  pre- 
sented. For  some  distance  on  both  sides  of  the  pike  the 
ground  was  strewn  with  guns,  bayonets,  belts,  cartridge 
boxes,  knapsacks,  canteens,  camp  kettles,  clothing,  and  al- 
most every  other  article  that  made  up  the  individual  and 
"mess"  outfit,  and  also  broken-down  and  overturned  wagons, 
artillery  caissons,  cannon,  and  abandoned  war  material  of 


314  STORY   OF   THE>   IOIST   OHIO. 

every  description.  Their  dead  and  seriously  wounded  were 
left  on  the  field,  and  everything  that  could  hinder  their 
flight  seemed  to  have  been  flung  away.  The  confusion  of 
that  dreadful  night  was  greatly  intensified  by  the  rain 
which  began  to  fall  just  at  dusk,  and  which  continued  till 
nearly  morning.  The  darkness  was  intense.  As  the  Con- 
federate teamsters  attempted  to  cross  over  from  the  Granny 
White  and  Hillsboro'  pikes  to  the  Franklin  pike  to  avoid 
Willson's  cavalry,  many  of  them  became  entangled  in  the 
woods,  and  in  their  desperation  cut  loose  from  their  wagons 
and  rode  rapidly  forward  for  safety. 

And  thus,  all  night  long,  what  had  been  the  great  Con- 
federate Army  of  the  Tennessee;  the  rival  of  L,ee's  Army  of 
Virginia;  the  magnificent  army  that  had  opposed  Sherman 
all  the  way  from  Chattanooga  to  Atlanta  and  L,ovejoy;  the 
army  that  by  a  brave  flank  movement  had  carried  Sherman 
and  his  Grand  Army  back  almost  to  the  Tennessee;  the 
army  that  had  forced  Schofield  out  of  Pulaski,  Columbia, 
and  Franklin  back  to  Nashville;  the  army  that  had  spread 
alarm  and  consternation  throughout  all  the  northwest;  the 
army  that  thirty  hours  before  had  flung  defiance  into  the 
faces  of  the  loyal  hosts  in  line  of  battle  along  its  front — that 
army  was  now  in  tumultuous  flight,  shorn  of  dignity,  bereft 
of  courage,  and  robbed  of  power.  It  was  supposed  that 
Hood  would  halt  in  the  Hills  of  Brentwood  and  again  offer 
battle.  But  the  Confederate  hosts  were  not  in  condition  to 
halt  nor  in  humor  to  fight.  Leaving  their  dead,  neglecting 
their  wounded,  abandoning  everything  that  could  hamper 
or  hinder  rapid  flight,  the  rebel  army  pushed  on  in  dis- 
organized mass,  nor  stopped  till  the  boiling  Harpeth  was 
placed  between  them  and  the  National  army,  and  then  only 
to  take  a  few  hours'  rest,  and  to  organize  for  greater  safety 
in  retreat. 

Following  up  our  great  success,  we  pushed  on  after  the 


JESSE  H.   HALL, 

COMPANY   I. 
COIvOR-BEARER   AT 


3*6  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

retreating  enemy,  but  darkness  soon  settled  over  the  field 
and  we  were  compelled  to  go  into  camp  about  one  mile 
north  of  the  village  of  Brentwood.  The  muddy  ground,  the 
raw,  cold  wind,  the  incessant  rain,  all  tended  to  make  our 
situation  one  of  discomfort.  But  the  thought  of  our  great 
victory,  the  crushing  defeat  of  the  enemy,  the  possibility  of 
annihilating  the  rebel  army,  counteracted  the  discomfort, 
and  rolling  up  in  our  rubber  blankets,  we  lay  down  in  the 
driest  places  we  could  find  to  dream,  perchance  of  home  and 
friends. 

Reveille  sounded  at  4  o'clock  next  morning,  and  at  day- 
light we  took  up  the  line  of  march,  our  Division  in  advance. 
We  were  preceded  by  a  strong  cavalry  force,  which  during 
the  forenoon  sent  back  many  prisoners.  Nothing  else  of 
moment  occurred,  except  that  on  every  hand  there  was  the 
most  positive  proof  of  the  utter  haste  in  which  Hood's  army 
had  fled.  Evidently  it  was  not  a  retreat — it  wras  a  flight. 
Reaching  Franklin  soon  after  noon,  we  went  into  camp, 
awaiting  the  construction  of  bridges  over  the  Harpeth. 
The  recent  rains  had  greatly  swollen  the  stream  and  it  could 
not  be  forded.  At  7  next  morning  we  resumed  our  march, 
going  into  camp  three  miles  south  of  Spring  Hill.  There 
had  been  more  or  less  skirmishing  all  day,  but  the  resistance 
of  the  enemy  was  without  heart.  Our  cavalry  made  strenu- 
ous efforts  to  cut  off  and  capture  portions  of  the  Confederate 
rear,  but  the  Brownies  were  down  to  their  best  gait,  and  too 
many  of  them  got  away.  The  recent  rains  had  rendered 
the  roads  almost  impassable;  even  the  pike  was  cut  up  and 
broken  to  such  a  degree  that  our  trains  and  artillery  could 
scarcely  move.  Pick  our  way  as  best  we  could,  the  mud 
and  water  was  often  ankle  de-ep,  filling  our  shoes  with  grit 
and  sand  to  such  an  extent  that  our  sufferings  were  often 
intense.  The  incessant  rains  soaked  us,  and  there  was 
nothing  pleasant  about  the  business.  Our  Division  trains 


IN   CAMP   AT   HUNTSVILLE.  317 

were  close  behind  us  with  ten  days'  rations  and  a  hundred 
rounds  of  ammunition  for  each  man.  The  swollen  con- 
dition of  Rutherford  Creek  made  it  exceedingly  difficult  to 
construct  bridges,  even  foot  bridges,  over  that  stream,  but 
by  the  morning  of  the  2oth  we  were  able  to  cross,  and  at 
once  our  Division  moved  out  as  rapidly  as  the  condition  of 
the  roads  would  allow.  Another  serious  delay  occurred  at 
the  crossing  of  Duck  River,  and  while  waiting  we  were  sent 
foraging  for  the  animals  of  the  pontoon  train.  While  thus 
remembering  the  animals,  we  by  no  means  forgot  ourselves. 
But  the  river  was  at  last  bridged,  and  on  the  night  of  the 
22nd  we  crossed  over  and  went  into  camp  a  mile  south  of 
Columbia,  the  Confederates  giving  us  all  the  room  we 
needed.  Early  next  morning  the  advance  was  again  taken 
up,  but  the  enemy  had  so  much  the  start  of  the  Union 
army  that  it  was  impossible  to  overtake  them.  Our  army, 
however,  moved  on  more  or  less  leisurely,  passing  through 
Ivynnville  on  the  24th,  celebrating  Christmas  next  day  by 
marching  through  many  miles  of  mud  and  going  into  camp 
at  night  three  miles  south  of  Pulaski,  tired,  wet  and  hungry. 
By  the  28th  we  were  near  lyexington,  Alabama,  reaching 
Athens  on  the  3rd  and  Huntsville  on  the  5th.  This  ended 
the  pursuit  and  placed  our  Corps  in  quarters  more  or  less 
permanent.  The  roads  over  which,  or  rather  through 
which,  we  had  been  obliged  to  march,  were  as  bad  as  the 
world  ever  saw. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

IN   CAMP   AT   HUNTSVILLE. 


The  retreat  and  pursuit  were  at  last  ended.  Hood's 
army,  badly  broken  and  terribly  discouraged,  was  at  Tupelo, 
in  northeastern  Mississippi.  Our  own  Corps  was  at  Hunts- 


318  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

ville,  Alabama;  Steedman  was  at  Decatur  on  the  Tennessee; 
Smith  and  Wilson  were  at  Eastpoint,  and  Cox  at  Columbia. 
Schofield  was  soon  transferred  to  the  eastern  army,  and 
Smith,  a  little  later,  was  ordered  south  to  aid  General  Canby 
in  the  reduction  of  Mobile. 

In  our  own  vicinity,  however,  and  doubtless  elsewhere 
also,  bushwhackers,  guerrillas,  and  other  roving  bands  of 
cowardly  assassins,  kept  the  saddle  and  committed  many 
outrages.  Guard  and  picket  duty  were  strictly  maintained, 
and  frequent  scouting  and  forage  parties  were  sent  out. 
When  these  expeditions  were  well  guarded  they  were  seldom 
molested,  but  with  a  small  guard  they  usually  had  trouble. 

The  inclemency  of  the  weather  made  it  quite  necessary 
to  fix  up  our  camp  at  once  in  as  comfortable  shape  as  pos- 
sible. Beauty  of  architecture,  however,  gave  way  to  means 
and  comfort.  Shanties,  huts  and  nondescript  affairs  of  vari- 
ous kinds,  covered  or  supplemented  with  tents,  sprang  up 
in  their  proper  places  and  served  to  shield  us  against  the 
bitter  cold  and  the  driving  rain.  The  building  of  these 
affairs  caused  no  little  amusement.  Each  "mess"  was  the 
"  architect  of  its  own  fortune."  If  the  chimney  stood  on  its 
head  and  drew  down  instead  of  up,  that  was  no  one's  else 
business,  though  many  a  tear  was  shed  in  consequence  of 
the  error.  If  the  shanty  had  no  chimney,  whose  business 
was  it  but  the  proprietors'?  If  General  Kirby's  chimney 
blew  down  in  a  storm  and  another  chimney  blew  up  about 
the  same  time,  what  relation  necessarily  existed  between  the 
two  events !  The  thermometer  sank  very  low  sometimes, 
and  the  boys  kept  well  indoors.  The  high  wind  that  pre- 
vailed so  much  of  the  time  only  made  things  worse.  On 
pleasant  days,  of  which  there  were  many  later  on,  the  boys 
came  out  to  sun  themselves,  and  when  the  weather  would 
permit  they  pitched  quoits,  played  ball  and  had  many  a 
rough  and  tumble  time  of  it. 


WILLIAM   A.   KINNEY, 

COMPANY   C. 

From  a  recent  photograph. 


320  STORY    OF   THE    IOIST    OHIO 

Soon  after  going  into  winter  quarters  our  little  church 
organization  was  revived,  our  library  hunted  up  and  again 
put  in  circulation,  and  regular  Sunday  services  maintained. 
The  little  chapel  in  which  we  held  our  services  had  a  re- 
markable growth.  We  had  been  discussing  the  desirable- 
ness of  such  a  structure,  but  not  until  the  news  of  the  fall  of 
Sumter  was  received  did  we  resolve  to  erect  it.  In  less  than 
forty-eight  hours — less  than  thirty,  I  think — the  building 
was  ready  for  occupancy,  and  immediately,  even  before  the 
last  nail  was  driven,  the  boys  began  to  gather  for  the  serv- 
ice. System,  hard  work,  and  any  number  of  willing  hands 
did  it.  Chaplain  Crevath  conducted  the  service,  but  was 
sometimes  assisted  by  the  chaplains  of  other  Regiments. 
Postal  communications  with  the  North  were  soon  estab- 
lished, and  we  managed  to  keep  fairly  well  posted  as  to 
events  elsewhere,  particularly  in  the  east. 

A  distressing  affair  occurred  on  the  2Oth  of  January. 
Lieutenant  E.  J.  Squire,  of  Company  D,  was  detailed  to 
command  a  small  foraging  expedition  into  the  country,  to  a 
particular  place,  to  bring  in  certain  supplies  known  to  be 
there.  He  objected  on  the  score  that  the  guard  was  insuffi- 
cient, but  was  ordered  to  proceed.  The  story  of  his  adven- 
tures and  what  came  of  it  is  graphically  told  in  his  prison 
experience  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

Camp  life  at  Huntsville  was  about  the  same  it  had  been 
a  year  before  at  Oolte\vah,  and  two  years  before  at  Murfrees- 
boro'.  The  boys  read  everything  they  could  get,  discussed 
everything  they  knew,  and  a  good  deal  more;  planned  cam- 
paigns for  the  immediate  close  of  the  war,  reviewed  our 
former  marches  and  battles,  and  expressed  freely  their  opin- 
ion of  "the  blamed  Southern  country."  They  also  laid 
plans  for  home  work  after  the  war ;  ran  farms,  built  mills, 
laid  out  railroads,  went  into  the  dry  goods  and  grocery  bus- 
iness, ran  for  office,  planned  to  mob  every  copperhead  that 


E.  W.  CUNNINGHAM, 

COMPANY    D. 
Fron  a   recent  photograph. 


21 


322  STORY    OF    THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

could  be  found,  and,  in  a  general  way,  fixed  up  almost 
everything.  But  even  after  all  this,  much  time  hung  on 
our  hands.  Singing,  whistling,  and  joking  more  or  less 
practical,  all  had  their  turns ;  but  euchre,  muggins,  old 
sledge,  and  especially  among  the  officers,  poker,  held  the 
boards  all  the  time,  and  never  seemed  to  become  tiresome. 
Later  on,  when  pleasant  weather  came,  the  boys  were  out, 
and  played  all  manner  of  out-door  games.  There  were  no 
feuds,  no  old  sores,  no  grudges,  but  all  were  good  natured 
and  rolicky — frisky  as  lambs,  (with  the  understanding  that 
the  lambs  were  pretty  badly  crippled  with  corns,  bunions, 
and  rheumatism.) 

It  was  known  in  camp  that  our  old  Commander,  Sher- 
man, had  captured  Savannah,  and  that  stopping  for  nothing, 
he  was  pushing  his  way  northward  through  the  Carolinas. 
Many  a  shout  went  up  from  our  camp  when  the  news  of 
success  by  our  eastern  army  reached  us.  In  the  early  days 
of  the  war  his  army  would  have  waited  for  the  roads  to  dry 
—but  at  this  stage  of  the  great  conflict  nothing  seemed  to  be 
impossible  to  the  Union  forces.  In  the  midst  of  winter 
General  Sherman  put  his  entire  army  in  motion  carrying 
everything  before  him.  The  march  through  the  Carolinas 
though  not  as  poetical  as  that  "through  Georgia,"  was 
quite  as  difficult  and  equally  graphic.  The  letters  and 
papers  which  we  received  from  the  North,  gave  us  to  under- 
stand that  Lee  could  not  succeed  ;  that  affairs  at  Mobile 
-were  in  a  satisfactory  condition,  and  we  felt  abundantly  able 
to  take  care  of  Hood  any  day  he  might  wake  up.  It  did 
seem  to  us  as  though  the  Confederacy  would  soon  go  to 
smash.  But  the  enemy  was  still  in  the  field,  and  much 
work  remained  yet  to  be  done. 

We  learned  also  that  a  portion  of  Hood's  army,  under 
Cheatham  and  Lee,  was  being  transferred  to  the  east,  that 
other  portions  had  moved  further  south,  and,  naturally,  we 


EXPEDITION    INTO    NORTH    CAROLINA.  323 

wondered  how  all  this  would  affect  us.  Grant  was  hanging 
on  to  Richmond  and  Petersburg  with  his  characteristic  te- 
nacity, and  rumor  had  it  that  Lee  would  be  compelled  either 
to  surrender  or  run.  Such  rumors  became  quite  current  the 
latter  part  of  February,  and  early  in  March  General  Stone- 
man  was  ordered  into  North  and  South  Carolina  on  a  tour 
of  destruction,  and  most  graphically  did  he  perform  the  duty 
assigned  him.  About  the  same  time,  General  Wilson 
was  sent  south,  in  support  of  General  Canby,  who  was 
operating  against  Mobile. 

Fearing  that  Lee  might  attempt  to  withdraw  from 
Petersburg,  by  way  of  Lynchburg  and  Knoxville,  our 
Corps  (Stanley's)  was  ordered  by  rail  to  the  latter  city,  to 
receive  the  Confederates,  should  they  come  that  way.  The 
news  of  this  move  was  hailed  with  great  joy  by  all  the  boys. 
Preparations  were  at  once  made,  and  on  the  morning  of 
the  1 3th  of  March,  our  tents  were  struck  and  we  fell  in  with 
as  much  boyish  glee  as  we  did  when  we  first  went  into 
camp  at  Monroeville.  In  due  time  we  took  up  our  line  of 
march  through  the  city  to  the  depot.  While  waiting  for 
the  train  we  learned  of  the  fall  of  Charleston,  and  that  the 
old  Flag  again  floated  over  Sumter.  The  boys  were  wild 
with  delight,  and  anxious  to  be  off  for  our  new  field.  At 
5  P.M.  the  train  moved.  Passing  through  Stevenson,  Bridge- 
port, Chattanooga,  and  Ooltewah,  all  familiar  to  us,  we 
reached  Knoxville  next  evening  at  5  o'clock,  and  next  day 
proceeded  to  Strawberry  Plains,  where  we  remained  until 
the  i Qth,  when  we  advanced  to  New  Market.  On  the  26th 
the  Division  moved  forward  to  Bull's  Gap,  taking  up  a 
strong  position.  Here  many  deserters  from  the  rebel 
armies  joined  us,  and  not  a  few  of  our  men  who  had  been 
prisoners  of  war.  We  were  ordered  forward  next  day,  and 
went  into  camp  beyond  Lick  Creek.  Here  we  remained  un- 
til April  3rd.  The  depredations  of  guerrillas,  bushwhack- 


324  STORY   OP   THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

ers  and  similar  assassins,  had  become  so  serious  that  it  was 
decided  to  send  a  force  into  northwestern  North  Carolina, 
to  intimidate,  and,  if  necessary,  punish  them. 

The  expedition  as  planned  was  peculiar.  No  blood  was 
to  be  shed  unless  it  became  absolutely  necessary,  and  yet 
the  expedition  was  to  move  through  a  very  dangerous  gap, 
and  into  the  very  nest  of  the  marauders  in  the  mountains  of 
North  Carolina.  To  find  a  man  cool,  brave  and  judicious 
enough  to  conduct  such  a  campaign  was  no  easy  task. 
General  Kirby  and  his  Brigade  were,  however,  promptly 
selected,  and  at  once  ordered  forward.  With  some  misgiv- 
ings, but  no  hesitation,  the  General  put  his  troops  in 
motion  at  2  o'clock  the  same  day,  April  3rd,  and  in  due 
time  reached  Warm  Springs,  on  the  French  Broad  River. 
Here  every  report  indicated  the  hazardous  character  of  the 
undertaking.  But  dangers  had  no  terrors,  and  though  the 
way  was  narrow  and  rough,  though  the  road  was  reported 
to  be  blockaded  at  many  points,  General  Kirby  decided  to 
go  ahead.  He.  however,  divided  his  command,  leaving  a 
part  at  and  near  Warm  Springs,  while  with  the  remainder 
he  pushed  on  toward  Ashville.  Passing  through  Marshall, 
he  soon  met  the  enemy  in  light  force.  They  kept  at  a 
good  distance,  firing  upon  us  from  trees,  stumps,  rocks,  etc., 
but  doing  no  especial  harm.  Our  progress  was  greatly 
hindered  by  the  trees  that  had  been  felled  across  the  road, 
and  by  stumps  and  logs  and  rocks  that  had  been  rolled 
down  from  the  hill-sides.  Soon  after  passing  Alexander's 
bridge,  the  opposition  became  more  serious,  and  as  we 
approached  Ashville,  it  became  quite  warm.  The  rebels 
used  artillery,  and  at  times  the  roar  of  musketry  and  the 
scream  of  shell  reminded  us  of  other  days.  The  contest 
went  on  most  of  the  afternoon,  with  no  great  casualties,  but 
as  soon  as  darkness  began  to  fall,  the  enemy  withdrew. 

Having  reached  the  limit  to  which  we  were  to  go,  and 


JAY  C.  SMITH, 

COMPANY   B. 

From  a  recent  photograph. 


326  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

having  accomplished  the  task  set  us,  General  Kirby  began 
the  homeward  march,  halting  a  short  time  near  Alexander's 
bridge,  but  resuming  the  march  at  2  o'clock  in  the  morning 
and  reaching  Marshall  at  9  the  same  forenoon.  From  this 
point  our  inarch  was  deliberate.  Passing  through  Warm 
Springs,  we  reached  Greenville  on  the  loth  in  safety. 
General  Kirby  and  his  command  were  warmly  commended 
for  their  pluck  and  success. 

Could  we  have  been  transported  beyond  the  mountains, 
we  should  have  beheld  sights  that  would  have  filled  our 
hearts  with  gladness.  The  very  day  before  we  started  on 
the  Ashville  campaign,  the  citizens  of  Richmond  were  wild 
with  terror,  fleeing  in  every  direction  for  safety  from  the 
coming  Union  army.  Lee  had  been  compelled  to  leave  his 
defenses  in  front  of  Petersburg,  and  Richmond  could  no 
longer  be  defended.  Jeff  Davis  and  all  the  officials  of  the 
Confederate  government  took  to  instant  flight,  followed  by 
the  terrified  populace.  Wagons,  carriages,  carts,  every- 
thing that  could  be  utilized  for  carrying  goods  in  bundles, 
boxes  and  bags  was  impressed.  Negroes  were  loaded  down 
like  pack  mules,  and  everyone  went  with  a  bundle,  a  box  or 
a  package  under  his  arm.  It  was  Sunday,  but  such  a  Sun- 
day! The  banks  were  open,  and  men  were  rapidly  with- 
drawing their  specie  and  greenback  deposits;  bankers  were 
securing  their  balances;  store  keepers  were  vainly  trying  to 
save  the  most  precious  of  their  goods — all  were  frantic. 
The  city  council  met  and  ordered  the  destruction  of  all 
liquors,  that  the  terror  of  the  hour  might  not  be  increased 
by  the  howl  and  vandalism  of  the  drunkard.  The  streets 
ran  with  whisky  and  other  liquors,  and  many  a  wretch 
scooped  it  up  from  the  gutters  and  got  drunk  despite  the 
council.  The  tobacco  houses  were  fired,  and  from  this  the 
flames  spread  wildly,  fanned  by  a  high  wind,  until  a  large 
part  of  the  city  lay  in  ashes.  Thus  during  the  long,  dread- 


A   GREAT  THANKSGIVING.  327 

ful  night.  The  Union  troops  were  soon  on  hand  and  did 
much  to  stay  the  flames.  But  Richmond  had  fallen! 

Arriving  at  Greenville  we  learned  of  the  fall  of  the  rebel 
capital,  and  at  once  the  boys  went  wild.  What  enthusiasm ! 
What  cheering  !  We  all  shouted  and  yelled  ourselves  hoarse; 
saluted  the  Old  Flag;  called  each  other  names,  shook  hands, 
danced  and  sang  until  we  were  tired  out.  The  bands  played, 
bugles  sounded,  drums  beat, — the  army  was  wild — drunk 
with  delight.  And  again  on  the  i4th,  when  we  learned  that 
Grant  had  trapped  Lee,  and  compelled  him  to  surrender,  the 
whole  scene  was  repeated,  only  this  time  we  had  sense 
enough  left  to  join  most  heartily — many  of  us  reverently— 
in  a  great  thanksgiving  service  to  the  Most  High,  for  these 
signal  and  concluding  victories.  The  exercises  were  under 
the  direction  of  Chaplain  Cravath,  and  though  he  always 
preached  well,  he  never  before  did  so  well,  and  when  we  all 
joined  in  singing  America,  the  whole  country  seemed  to 
spread  the  echoes  until  the  mysterious  mountains  seemed  to 
brighten  up  and  join  the  universal  song.  Every  face  beamed, 
every  step  was  young — patriotism  and  enthusiasm  fairly 
sizzled. 

"And  now,"  cried  the  boys,  "for  home!"  And  from 
that  moment  no  other  thought  found  lodgement.  But  the 
rejoicings  of  the  army,  like  those  of  all  loyal  people,  were 
turned  to  deepest  sadness  wrhen  the  news  of  the  assassination 
of  President  I/incoln  came  to  us.  Involuntarily,  and  from 
force  of  habit,  the  boys  looked  to  their  arms,  and  towering 
with  rage,  were  once  more  ready  to  face  southward.  But  the 
war  was  ended.  Sherman  received  the  surrender  of  John- 
ston, the  enemy  had  sunk  from  view,  and  we  were  now  to 
head  homeward. 

Moving  to  Bull's  Gap,  we  soon  took  the  train  and  in  due 
time  reached  Nashville,  and  went  into  camp  five  miles  out 
on  the  Charlotte  pike,  in  what  was  known  as  Camp  Harker. 


328  STORY    OF    THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

Here  we  remained  for  some  time  awaiting  the  closing  up  of 
affairs  preceding  the  muster-out  of  the  army.  Time  hung 
heavily.  Even  euchre  and  seven-up  lost  their  charms. 
While  the  officers  were  busily  engaged  in  preparing  the 
muster-out  rolls,  we  employed  our  time  variously — visiting 
friends  in  other  regiments,  receiving  visits  of  the  same  kind, 
getting  up  candle  and  torch  processions,  some  of  which 
were  very  pretty,  and  in  many  other  ways  now  forgotten. 
Generals  Kimball  and  Stanley  paid  us  one  or  two  visits, 
and  the  boys  took  great  delight  in  honoring  them.  A  grand 
review  of  the  Division  was  planned  and  carried  out.  It  was 
a  very  fine  affair — one  long  to  be  remembered,  probably  the 
last  we  shall  ever  see. 

At  last  the  details  were  all  completed.  Government 
stores  and  munitions  of  every  kind  had  been  turned  over, 
the  hour  of  departure  had  come,  again  the  Regiment — O, 
how  small  as  compared  with  what  it  had  been — was  in  line 
— only  329  of  us,  all  told — this  time  to  be  mustered  out  of 
the  service.  What  memories  thronged  for  recognition ! 
What  tender  thoughts  went  out  after  the  dear  boys  who, 
lying  beneath  the  sod  of  many  a  field,  could  never  return 
to  home  and  dear  ones,  as  we  were  about  to  do  ! 

It  was  the  i2th  of  June,  1865.  Boarding  the  cars  at 
Nashville,  we  gladly  said  good-bye  to  the  South,  and  with 
light  hearts,  noisy  tongues,  and  enthusiasm  that  absolutely 
knew  no  bounds,  we  started  for  "  God's  Country,"  proud  of 
our  record,  proud  of  the  old  Flag,  though  tattered  and  torn, 
which  we  had  followed  through  half  a  hundred  fights,  and 
which  we  were  now  returning  without  one  stain  of  dishonor. 
That  old  Flag  !  Always  bright,  always  encouraging,  always 
inviting  to  duty,  always  an  inspiration,  especially  in  hours  of 
greatest  peril.  That  old  Flag  !  It  had  often  been  the  cen- 
ter of  conflict,  yet  never  had  it  been  brought  to  the  ground 
by  an  armed  enemy.  Even  when  the  brave  boys  who  car- 


HOMEWARD    BOUND.  329 

ried  it  were  one  after  another  shot  down,  other  and  equally 
brave  hands  took  it  up  and  bore  it  forward.  At  the  front 
in  the  fray,  with  the  first  over  the  enemy's  parapets,  leading 
in  the  charge,  "Old  Glory"  always  led  us  aright.  The  flight 
of  years  only  deepens  and  intensifies  the  halo  of  glory  that 
crowns  that  dear  old  emblem  of  liberty.  Often  at  our  an- 
nual reunions  have  I  seen  eyes  that  are  now  dim  fill  with 
tears  at  sight  of  the  Flag  while  memory  was  busy  on  the 
fields  of  the  past.  Could  it  but  speak,  how  gloriously  thrill- 
ing would  be  its  story  ! 

Rapidly  as  our  train  bore  us  homeward  those  bright  June 
days,  our  thoughts  were  ever  far  in  the  advance.  Who  can 
describe  our  feelings  as  we  moved  rapidly  away  from  the 
scenes  of  strife  and  bloodshed  with  which,  per  force,  we  had 
become  familiar  and  came  again  into  the  peaceful  and  quiet 
North.  No  pen  of  mine  shall  attempt  such  a  task.  At  last 
we  reached  the  City  of  Cleveland,  where  we  were  to  receive 
our  final  pay,  and  where  we  were  to  break  ranks  forever. 
The  fraternal  ties  formed  and  cemented  on  so  many  fields 
were  not  easily  broken,  but  the  pains  of  final  leave-taking 
were  dulled  by  the  inexpressible  joy  of  meeting  the  dear 
ones  at  the  old  home. 


PRISON  EXPERIENCES. 


i. 

CAPTAIN    GEORGE   W.    HALE. 

Lieutenant  George  W.  Hale  was  severely  wounded  in 
the  Battle  of  Chick amauga,  captured  with  many  others  of 
his  company,  and  kept  a  prisoner  many  months.  The  ball 
which  wounded  Comrade  Hale  entered  the  left  thigh,  passed 
around  the  bone  and  into  and  through  the  right  thigh 
making  two  dangerous  wounds.  All  the  rest  of  the  after- 
noon and  all  night  long,  the  Lieutenant  lay  wounded  on 
the  battle-field  among  the  dead,  dying  and  severely  wound- 
ed. His  experience  was  something  terrible.  Some  of  the 
boys  were  in  the  throes  of  death ;  some  were  moaning  and 
crying  for  help ;  some  were  praying  and  some  were  .swear- 
ing ;  some  were  calling  for  loved  ones  at  home,  and  some 
cursing  the  day  they  were  born ;  a  few,  like  Lieutenant 
Hale,  quietly  endured  their  intense  suffering,  and  waited  for 
morning.  The  night  was  clear  and  cold,  and  to  our  suffer- 
ing comrade  it  seemed  endless.  At  9  o'clock  on  Sunday 
morning  two  Confederate  soldiers  bore  Comrade  Hale  on  a 
stretcher  back  some  distance  and  laid  him  down  beside  a  fire. 
He  was  very  weak  from  the  loss  of  blood,  and  chilled  to  the 
marrow.  The  neglect  of  his  wounds  and  the  effect  of  the 
cold  were  such  as  to  contract  the  muscles  so  as  to  draw  his 
limbs  out  of  shape  for  several  weeks.  There  seemed,  in- 
deed, no  chance  for  our  comrade's  life.  But  he  had  pluck 
and  endurance,  and  is  with  us  to  this  day. 


332  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

For  three  weeks,  he  and  other  severely  wounded  were 
kept  in  this  field-hospital  without  shelter  from  the  hot  sun, 
the  pouring  rain  or  the  cold  nights.  Food  was  scarce,  coarse 
and  poorly  prepared.  The  officer  in  charge  of  this  hospi- 
tal was  a  drunken  wretch,  through  whose  neglect  the  se- 
verely wounded  were  not  exchanged,  as  they  were  at  the 
other  hospitals.  Bach  day  this  wretch  told  the  poor  fellows 
" to-day  you  will  be  exchanged."  Wistfully  the  boys  looked 
for  our  ambulance  which  never  came. 

A  rebel  surgeon  examined  Comrade  Hale's  wounds  the 
second  day  after  he  was  captured,  and  told  him  that  with 
proper  care  he  might  get  well,  and  promised  to  see  him 
again,  but  he  never  returned.  Our  comrade  was  obliged  to 
dress  his  own  wounds.  His  limbs  were  entirely  helpless — 
he  could  not  move  them.  Propping  himself  up  on  one  el- 
bow, he  cut  open  his  trouser-legs  with  the  other  hand,  and 
thus  dressed  his  wounds.  A  wounded  comrade  near  by 
gave  him  a  handkerchief,  which  he  tore  into  bandages  for 
both  legs.  He  paid  a  rebel  wretch  five  dollars  for  a  canteen 
of  water  with  which  to  wash  his  wounds.  Later  on,  other 
wounded  comrades  who  were  able  to  walk  a  little,  brought 
water  from  a  spring  near  by.  He  kept  his  wounds  moist 
day  and  night.  About  one  week  after  he  was  wounded,  a 
piece  of  blue  cloth,  nearly  as  large  as  a  half-dollar,  worked 
out.  It  had  been  driven  in  by  the  ball.  So  poorly  were 
his  wounds  dressed — so  scant  the  bandages,  that  it  required 
constant  effort  to  keep  the  wounds  from  the  flies  that 
swarmed  by  the  thousand. 

This  continued  for  three  weeks,  when  they  were  all 
loaded  into  great  army  wagons,  and  removed  to  Ringold. 
The  journey  was  one  never  to  be  forgotten.  Several  poor 
fellows  whose  limbs  had  been  amputated  the  day  before 
starting,  were  loaded  in  with  the  rest  and  left  without  care 
or  assistance.  A  ride  in  an  army  wagon  over  the  moun- 


PRISON   EXPERIENCES.  333 

tains  is  as  much  as  a  well  man  cares  to  endure.  How  these 
poor  fellows  lived  through  it  is  a  mystery.  The  Confed- 
erate Surgeons,  having  no  anesthetics,  had  tied  each  of 
these  same  poor  fellows  to  the  table  when  the  amputation 
was  being  made.  Such  things  seem  to-day  impossible.  But 
this  is  not  all.  Arriving  at  Ringold  they  were  at  once 
loaded  into  box  freight  cars  and  sent  to  Atlanta.  One  of 
the  poor  boys,  who  had  had  a  leg  amputated  just  before 
starting,  died  on  the  way — bled  to  death.  No  surgeon  ac- 
companied them,  nor  was  there  a  soul  to  render  any  assist- 
ance— except  guards!  At  Atlanta  they  were  placed  in 
sheds  on  the  ground.  Here  there  were  a  few  nurses  and 
waiters. 

At  the  end  of  three  weeks  it  was  announced  that  all 
who  could  walk  to  the  depot  would  be  taken  to  Richmond 
and  exchanged.  Our  comrade,  though  he  had  not  yet  been 
off  his  back,  gave  his  name  as  one  who  would  go.  He  paid 
five  dollars  for  a  pair  of  crutches  and  prepared  to  move. 
He  pulled  himself  into  an  upright  position  by  clinging  to 
the  studding,  but  he  could  not  bear  his  weight  on  either 
foot — he  was  helpless.  He  kept  on  trying,  and  by  the 
third  day — the  time  set  for  starting — he  was  able  to  hobble 
very  slowly.  He  fell  behind  the  rest  on  the  way  to  the 
depot  and  was  roundly  cursed  by  the  guards  who  threatened 
to  bayonet  him  if  he  did  not  hurry  along.  He  finally 
reached  the  train.  All  were  loaded  into  box  cars  and  start- 
ed. Arriving  at  Richmond,  they  found  to  their  sorrow  that 
they  were  not  to  be  exchanged.  The  stronger  ones  were 
sent  to  Belle  Isle,  the  officers  to  Libby,  and  the  severely 
wounded  to  the  hospital.  All  this  time  lieutenant  Hale 
had  been  considered  dead — killed  at  Chickamauga.  He 
was  for  some  time  so  carried  on  the  muster  rolls. 

After  several  months,  his  wounds  had  so  healed  that  he 
was  removed  from  the  hospital  and  sent  to  L,ibby  Prison. 


334  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

The  rebel  surgeons  in  Libby  who  looked  after  the  wounded, 
dressed  all  wounds  from  the  same  pan,  with  the  same  water 
and  same  sponge.  The  cases  of  gangrene  were  doubtless 
more  numerous  than  they  would  have  been  had  these  sur- 
geons exercised  ordinary  care. 

The  food  furnished  the  prisoners  in  Libby  was  simply 
abominable — consisting  at  first,  so  far  as  Lieutenant  Hale 
and  those  with  him  were  concerned,  of  a  very  limited 
amount  of  corn  bread  and  mule  meat;  then  of  corn  bread 
and  rice  soup  made  of  mules'  jaws,  as  they  knew,  for  they 
often  found  mule  teeth  in  the  soup.  These  they  kept  as 
"  souvenirs."  Soon  white  peas  took  the  place  of  soup,  but 
these  were  so  full  of  worms  that  the  stench  which  arose 
when  they  were  being  cooked  made  it  next  to  impossible  to 
eat  the  stuff,  yet  hunger  compelled  them  to  do  so.  Finally 
the  rations  were  reduced  to  a  small  piece  of  corn  bread  of 
miserable  quality. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  McDonald,  of  our  Regiment,  who 
was  captured  at  Chickamauga,  was  confined  in  Libby  at  the 
same  time.  Lieutenant  Hale  met  him,  and  it  was  arranged 
that  Hale  should  be  one  of  the  officers  who  were  to  escape 
through  the  tunnel  then  being  constructed  under  the  direc- 
tion, mainly,  of  Colonel  McDonald.  It  is  only  proper  to 
say  here  that  the  credit  of  this  brave  and  successful  under- 
taking is  due  Lieutenant-Colonel  McDonald,  and  not  to  Col- 
onel Straight,  as  reported  at  the  time  and  subsequently. 
Straight  knew  nothing  of  it  until  invited  by  McDonald  and 
two  or  three  of  his  friends  to  join  them  in  the  flight.  Com- 
rade Hale  was  to  be  one  of  the  number,  but  through  a  mis- 
understanding of  the  countersign,  he  was  not  able  to  pass 
the  sentinel  who  guarded  the  entrance  to  the  hole. 

The  excitement  in  Richmond  next  morning  after  the 
escape  was  intense.  When  the  rebel  officers  called  the  roll, 
or,  rather,  counted  the  men — they  found  one  hundred  and 


PRISON   EXPERIENCES.  335 

nine  too  few.  They  were  excited,  and  counted  again.  They 
then  went  to  other  rooms  and  came  back.  Soon  they  left 
and  rode  to  headquarters.  In  a  twinkling,  church  bells  were 
ringing,  cavalrymen  were  out  with  horns  blaring,  and  all 
hounds  obtainable  were  yelping.  The  excitement  was  at 
white-heat.  The  cavalry  and  hounds  started  in  every  direc- 
tion. The  prison  guards  were  all  arrested,  charged  with  brib- 
ery. All  day  long  they  hunted  and  quizzed  to  find  out  where 
and  how  the  prisoners  had  escaped.  Our  men  had  made 
good  use  of  their  time.  But  at  night-fall  the  searchers  brought 
in  one  poor  fellow  who  had  been  re-captured.  They  took 
him  to  headquarters  and  placing  a  pistol  to  his  head,  swore 
they  would  shoot  him  if  he  did  not  instantly  tell  when  and 
how  they  escaped.  He  finally  yielded.  The  story  of  the 
enterprise  can  not  be  repeated  here,  though  it  is  intensely 
interesting  from  start  to  finish. 

The  prisoners  spent  their  time  variously.  It  must  have 
been  a  serio-comic  sight  to  see  Generals,  Colonels,  Majors, 
Captains  and  Lieutenants  all  stark  naked  sitting  around  the 
room  searching  in  the  seams  of  their  clothes  for  the  familiar 
gray-back.  The  day  was  usually  started  off  in  this  way, 
the  time  devoted  to  it  depending  upon  the  amount  of  game 
in  sight.  After  this,  some  would  read,  if  there  was  anything 
to  read  ;  others  would  do  fancy  bone  whittling,  if  the  bones 
could  be  had ;  others  would  play  cards,  or  chess,  or  check- 
ers. Some  would  tell  stories  and  play  practical  jokes. 
Mock  trials,  theatricals,  elections,  initiations  into  improvised 
secret  societies — all  these  and  many  more — made  up  the  day. 

When  Colonel  Dahlgren  made  his  raid  upon  Richmond, 
the  excitement  ran  high  in  Libby.  Arrangements  were 
made,  by  which,  if  he  succeeded  in  entering  the  city,  they 
were  to  arise,  strike  down  the  guards  and  "break"  for  lib- 
erty. But  poor  Dahlgren  was  not  to  succeed.  He  was 
killed  and  his  forces  scattered. 


336  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

Lieutenant  Hale,  Captain  Bowers,  of  a  Connecticut  regi- 
ment, and  Alonzo  Robbins  of  the  i23rd  Ohio,  planned  an 
escape  from  the  cars  in  which  they  were  being  moved  from 
Richmond  to  Macon  soon  after  Colonel  Dahlgren's  raid. 
Comrade  Hale  had  a  case  knife,  the  back  of  which  had  been 
filed  into  a  rude  saw.  Their  plan  was  to  saw  a  hole  in  the 
bottom  of  the  car,  and  then  at  night  to  drop  through  and 
make  their  escape.  The  plan  failed  through  the  lack  of 
nerve  on  the  part  of  the  Connecticut  man.  Our  comrade 
made  the  attempt,  but  was  chased  in  great  shape  around  a 
large  tobacco  house,  and  among  cars  until  he  finally  had  to 
surrender.  He  was  lucky  not  to  be  shot.  The  failure  of 
Captain  Bowers  revealed  our  comrade's  whereabouts.  The 
prisoners  were  placed  in  a  stockade  at  Macon,  where  they 
were  kept  three  months.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time 
they  were — six  hundred  of  them — taken  out  to  be  held  in 
Charleston  as  hostages  to  prevent  our  gunboats  from  firing 
upon  that  city.  With  the  announcement  of  this  intention, 
they  organized  themselves  into  a  secret  band  fully  officered, 
the  sole  intention  and  purpose  of  which  was  to  capture  the 
train  that  should  carry  them.  This  was  to  be  done  before 
reaching  Savannah,  and  while  comparatively  near  our  gun- 
boats. Colonel  Sherman  was  in  command  of  the  whole 
force.  He  had  a  lantern  made  of  red  paper,  which  he  was 
to  hold  out,  when  they  were  to  arise  and  seize  everything, 
burn  the  train,  take  the  guards  prisoners,  and  make  for  our 
gunboats.  But,  although  every  possible  detail  had  been 
looked  after,  Colonel  Sherman  failed  to  give  the  signal,  and 
nothing  was  done.  The  Confederates  admitted  later  that 
there  was  but  one  company  that  they  would  have  had  trouble 
with — they  would  have  succeeded. 

On  arriving  at  Charleston,  they  were  distributed  about 
the  city,  Comrade  Hale  being  sent  to  the  county  jail  for  a 
time.  In  the  fall  of  1864,  Comrade  Hale  and  many  others 


PRISON   EXPERIENCES.  337 

captured  at  Chickamauga,  including  very  many  of  the  men 
in  Andersonville  who  had  been  taken  prisoners  in  the  same 
battle,  were  sent  to  Macon  for  exchange.  But  on  arrival 
there,  it  was  said,  and  truly,  that  General  Sherman  would 
not  exchange  prisoners.  They  were  then  returned  to 
prison  at  Columbia,  and  the  poor  fellows  from  Anderson- 
ville were  sent  back  there  to  starve  and  die.  The  winter 
was  spent  by  our  comrade  at  Columbia,  S.  C.,  with  many 
others,  in  a  field,  well  guarded.  Twice  during  the  winter 
he  made  his  escape.  The  first  time  while  they  were  cut- 
ting wood  for  camp  use.  It  was  customary  to  detail  a  num- 
ber of  prisoners  for  this  duty.  The  guard  had  become 
accustomed  to  it,  and  Comrade  Hale,  one  day,  instead  of 
going  upon  duty,  went  too  far,  past  the  lines,  and  hid  in  a 
brush  heap.  Here  he  found  two  or  three  other  officers. 
That  night  they  started  for  our  lines,  only  about  four  hun- 
dred miles  a\vay.  After  wandering  in  the  woods  and 
making  long  marches,  they  were  recaptured  on  the  fifth 
day  and  returned  to  Columbia.  His  next  attempt  was  some 
weeks  later,  when  the  boys  were  gathering  wood  at  the 
other  side  of  the  prison.  One  of  the  men  had  made  an  out- 
landish wagon,  with  which  he  had  just  brought  in  a  load  of 
wood.  It  excited  a  great  deal  of  mirth,  and  in  the  midst  of 
the  jollity,  Lieutenant  Hale  .slipped  away,  accompanied  by 
Captain  Love  of  the  8th  Kansas.  They  were  captured  and 
brought  back  the  next  day,  nearly  dead,  having  made  a 
forced  march  of  forty  miles.  When  Sherman  came  threat- 
eningly near  Columbia,  the  Macon  prisoners  were  hurried 
off  to  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  and  not  long  after  to  Goldsboro', 
where  they  signed  exchange  papers.  Very  soon  after,  they 
passed  into  our  lines  near  Wilmington,  N.  C.,  wild  with  joy. 
They  could  scarcely  contain  themselves,  nor  could  they 
realize  that  they  were  really  free.  Comrade  Hale  had  been  a 
prisoner  for  nearly  eighteen  months.  They  were  sent  by 

22 


338  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST  OHIO. 

steamer  first  to  Baltimore,  then  to  Columbus,  then  home  for 
a  thirty-day  visit.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time,  Lieuten- 
ant Hale  was  returned  to  his  command,  where  he  met  a 
royal  welcome  and  also  a  Captain's  commission.  He  re- 
mained with  the  boys  until  the  Regiment  was  mustered  out 
at  Camp  Harker,  Tenn.,  June  12,  1865. 


II. 

LIEUTENANT   E.  J.  SQUIRE. 

On  the  morning  of  the  iyth  of  January,  1865,  while  the 
Regiment  was  in  camp  at  Huntsville,  Alabama,  Lieutenant 
(since  Captain)  E.  J.  Squire,  of  Company  D,  was  placed  in 
charge  of  a  small  foraging  party  sent  out  on  the  order  of 
Lieutenant-Colonel  McDonald,  commanding  the  Regiment, 
to  secure  subsistance  for  the  headquarters  animals.  The  ex- 
pedition was  made  up  as  follows  :  One  army  wagon  drawn 
by  six  mules ;  two  teamsters,  Jake  Adams,  of  Company  C, 
and  Jacob  Rohrer,  of  Company  H;  two  ' 'loaders,"  Theodore 
Rebadue,  of  Company  B,  and  James  P.  Sparks,  of  Company 
H ;  and  one  guard,  Adam  Billing,  of  Company  K,  all  under 
the  command  of  Lieutenant  Squire.  The  Lieutenant  urged 
a  much  stronger  guard,  but  his  requests  were  not  granted. 
The  forage  which  they  were  to  bring  in  was  in  Canamore 
Cove,  in  the  hills  about  eight  miles  from  camp.  It  was 
loaded  all  right.  Lieutenant  Squire  had  just  given  the 
usual  voucher,  and  started  back,  when  he  was  met  by  twenty- 
five  or  thirty  men  who  ordered  him  to  surrender.  Many  of 
them  were  in  Federal  uniform,  and  Comrade  Squire  sup- 
posed them  to  be  our  own  men,  accompanied  by  a  few  citi- 
zens out  on  a  "lark,"  and  acted  accordingly.  He  soon 
found  his  mistake.  They  claimed  to  belong  to  General 


LIEUTENANT  E.  J.  SQUIRE, 

COMPANY  D. 

From  photograph  taken  in  1894. 


340  STORY  OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

Roddy's  command,  though  they  were  doubtless  operating 
largely  on  their  own  account.  One  of  the  teamsters,  Jake 
Adams,  made  [good  his  escape,  in  some  way,  and  gave  in- 
formation of  the  capture  in  camp  that  same  evening. 
All  the  rest  were  taken  prisoners.  Instantly  Colonel  Mc- 
Donald set  about  effecting  their  recapture.  The  country  was 
scoured  in  every  direction,  but  to  no  purpose.  Four  other 
men,  two  of  the  goth  Ohio,  and  two  of  the  i25th  Ohio, 
were  captured  soon  after  Lieutenant  Squire  had  been  taken. 
The  whole  company  was  immediately  marched  to  the 
rear  about  two  miles,  where  they  encamped  for  the  night, 
resuming  the  journey  next  morning.  In  the  evening  the 
rebel  force  was  considerably  augmented.  Comrade  Squire 
and  his  associates  were  drawn  up  in  line  to  be  executed,  but 
better  counsels  prevailed  and  they  were  spared.  Excited 
citizens  reported  that  the  loist  Ohio  were  burning  and 
destroying  everything  on  account  of  the  capture  of  some  of 
their  men.  The  little  company  was  hurried  along  as  fast 
as  possible,  so  as  to  get  away  from  the  "  avengers."  That 
night  definite  plans  for  escape  were  made.  It  was  after 
night  when  they  reached  camp.  In  passing  through  a  piece 
of  wroods,  Comrade  Sparks,  who  was  mounted  behind  a  goth 
Ohio  man,  managed  to  slide  off  and  escape.  This  came  near 
costing  the  9oth  man  his  life.  He,  however,  paid  no  atten- 
tion to  their  threats,  but  kept  up  his  howl  about  the  fellow 
having  stolen  his  blanket.  Sparks  hid  near  bys  and  the 
rest,  in  order  to  give  him  a  chance,  gave  their  word  that 
they  would  not  try  to  escape  until  they  reached  camp  if  they 
would  move  on.  This  was  agreed  to,  and  Sparks  got  away, 
reaching  camp  a  few  days  later.  The  extreme  vigilance  of 
the  guard  prevented  any  escape  that  night.  Moving  back 
into  the  woods  they  rested  all  next  day,  and  after  midnight 
crossed  to  the  south  side  of  the  Tennessee  River.  A  Mr. 
Canamore  was  marching  with  them.  He  had  been  warned 


PRISON    EXPERIENCES.  341 

by  his  brother-in-law,  who  was  guide  to  the  loist  in  their 
retaliatory  work  around  Huntsville. 

On  the  night  of  the  22d,  while  stopping  at  the  house  of 
one  Johnson,  three  of  the  boys — Theodore  Rebadue  of  the 
loist,  and  Crittenden  and  Wallace  of  the  i25th,  made  a 
break  for  liberty.  This  was  a  terrible  mistake,  as  they  were 
soon  captured,  brought  back  to  camp,  and  two  of  them, 
Rebadue  and  Crittenden,  were  hung  for  the  offense.  Wal- 
lace was  spared  by  the  entreaties  of  the  citizens,  who  feared 
the  vengeance  of  the  Union  army.  After  this  they  were 
much  more  strictly  guarded,  and  all  chance  of  escape  seemed 
shut  off.  They  finally  reached  Gadsden,  where  they  were 
turned  over  to  the  Home  Guard.  Tired  and  hungry  they 
were  locked  up  in  the  court  house,  supper  less  and  blanket- 
less. 

Early  next  morning,  without  breakfast,  except  a  little 
flour  and  water,  they  were  started  on  a  foot  march  of  thirty 
miles,  to  Blue  Mountain.  On  the  way  Comrade  Squire  was 
permitted  to  purchase  a  dozen  eggs  on  condition  that  the 
guard  should  cook  them  on  "shares,"  each  party  to  have 
half  a  dozen.  The  guard  cooked  and  ate  all  of  them.  At 
Blue  mountain  they  were  sent  by  rail  to  Selma,  Ala.  At 
Selma  they  were  imprisoned  with  other  Union  soldiers,  who 
greeted  them  with  "Fresh  fish,  fresh  fish."  This  prison 
was  without  a  chimney;  the  windows  were  boarded  up 
tight ;  the  fire  was  built  on  a  quantity  of  earth  in  the  middle 
of  the  room.  The  smoke  was  awful.  The  poor  fellows  at 
times  could  breathe  only  as  they  lay  flat  upon  the  floor. 
After  a  stay  of  two  days  they  were  sent  by  steamer  to 
Cahawba,  where  there  was  a  prison  pen  in  which  some  three 
thousand  Union  men  were  confined.  Comrade  Squire,  be- 
ing an  officer,  was  assigned  to  another  building,  with  the 
privilege  of  conversing  with  citizens  for  the  purpose  of 
barter.  He  was  permitted  to  visit  the  prison  office  to  make 


342  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST  OHIO. 

inquiries,  and  also  to  mess  with  a  number  of  iisth  Ohio 
men  who  were  doing  carpentry  work  for  the  prison.  The 
prison  at  Cahawba  was  largely  "  run  "  by  Union  men.  As 
stated,  the  ii5th  Ohio  boys  did  the  carpentry  work,  the 
1 8th  Michigan  Band  (captured  almost  entire),  furnished  the 
music  for  guard-mount  and  dress  parade,  and  two  of  the 
clerks  in  the  office  were  Union  prisoners.  At  one  time 
Lieutenant  Squire  was  called  upon  to  inspect  the  prison 
books.  This  was  one  of  the  exceedingly  well  conducted 
prisons  in  the  whole  south.  Kven  this  was  bad  enough. 
During -a  freshet,  the  prison  was  overflowed  and  the  boys 
had  to  stand  in  water  two  feet  deep  for  nearly  three  days. 
Soon  after  this,  word  was  received  that  they  were  to  be  ex- 
changed. The  prisoners  were  arranged  in  three  divisions 
and  sent  forward  at  intervals  of  a  few  days.  Lieutenant 
Squire  was  in  the  third  division.  From  Cahawba  they  were 
taken  to  Selma,  then  to  Meridian,  Dunopolis,  Jackson, 
Clinton  and  to  Big  Black  River,  on  the  opposite  side  of 
which  they  caught  sight  of  the  old  Flag,  the  sight  of  which 
set  them  nearly  wild.  Some  of  the  men  really  wept  for  joy. 
Uncle  Sam  sent  them  rations  of  coffee  and  hard  bread,  but 
they  were  obliged  to  spend  the  night  in  the  mud  and  rain 
as  best  they  could,  cheered  with  the  thought  of  the  morn- 
ing. The  next  morning  they  were  taken  across  the  river  to 
"  Camp  Parole,"  four  miles  from  Vicksburg,  where  they 
were  detained  for  some  time  under  a  rebel  commission,  but 
"  fed  by  the  United  States." 

On  the  23rd  day  of  April,  the  prisoners  belonging  to  In- 
diana, Ohio,  Kentucky,  and  Tennessee  regiments,  were 
placed  on  board  the  ill-fated  steamer  Sultana  and  started 
north.  The  boat  was  greatly  overloaded,  there  being  about 
twenty-three  hundred  souls  on  board — two  thousand  of 
whom  were  Union  soldiers.  The  river  was  extremely  high, 
spreading  out  for  miles  in  many  places. 


PRISON   EXPERIENCES.  343 

At  night  it  was  almost  impossible  to  move  about  the 
decks  on  account  of  the  many  sleepers  scattered  everywhere. 
Memphis  was  reached  on  the  26th  (April,  1865).  Taking 
on  wood  and  water,  the  steamer  resumed  the  journey  about 
1:30  at  night.  The  terrible  scenes  that  followed  are  graphi- 
cally described  by  Comrade  Squire  : 

' '  I  was  aroused  from  slumber  by  a  shudder  that  seemed 
to  go  through  the  vessel.  The  air  was  full  of  the  odor  of 
steam  and  ashes.  Rubbish  was  falling  everywhere,  all  over 
the  deck.  The  lights  were  all  out,  it  was  intensely  dark, 
and  the  cries  and  shrieks  of  the  frightened  passengers  wrere 
terrible.  I  crawled  upon  my  hands  and  knees  through  the 
rubbish  and  confusion  until  I  came  out  upon  an  open  space 
just  back  of  the  ladies'  cabin,  where  a  solitary  lamp  was 
still  burning.  The  floor  was  literally  covered  with  pieces  of 
furniture,  glass,  etc.,  including  blinds,  doors,  chairs,  cots 
and  tables.  The  statement  was  instantly  circulated  that  the 
boiler  had  exploded,  but  that  if  no  fire  occurred  we  should 
be  saved.  A  moment  later  a  bright  flame  shot  up  in  the 
front  part  of  the  cabin.  Lieutenant  McDonald,  of  the  4th 
Tennessee,  had  joined  me,  but  was  greatly  excited.  When 
the  fire  burst  out  he  made  a  rush  and  probably  jumped  over- 
board and  was  drowned.  I  found  my  way  back  to  where 
my  cot  had  been,  and  put  on  my  clothes.  On  the  opposite 
side  of  the  cabin  lay  an  officer  of  the  6th  Kentucky,  uncon- 
scious, with  a  wound  in  his  head.  Near  him  was  Lieutenant 
McCord,  of  the  mth  Ohio,  appealing  for  help  to  remove 
the  poor  fellow,  so  that  he  need  not  burn.  I  helped  to 
lift  him  to  the  edge  of  the  boat,  from  which,  should  he 
become  conscious,  he  could  roll  off  into  the  water,  if  he 
chose.  As  we  were  about  to  pass  out  of  the  cabin  door,  a 
lady  passenger  rushed  in,  crying  'Save  me  !  save  me  !'  We 
tried  to  pacify  her,  giving  her  assurance  that  we  would  do 
all  we  could.  Frenzied  with  fear,  she  rushed,  shrieking, 


344  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

into  the  flames.  One  poor  crazed  man  rushed  to  the  edge 
of  the  boat,  crying  '  I  shall  drown !'  then  back  toward  the 
fire,  saying  '  I  shall  burn  !'  then  again  to  the  edge  of  the 
boat,  repeating  the  cry.  Again  he  rushed  toward  the  fire, 
and  crying  'I  would  rather  burn  than  drown  !'  he  leaped  in- 
to the  flames  and  perished.  Lieutenant  McCord  and  myself 
were  the  last  to  leave  the  cabin  deck.  As  I  stood  on  the 
outside,  I  could  see  the  passengers  going  over  the  side  of 
the  boat  like  a  flock  of  sheep  through  a  gap  in  the  fence. 
The  water  was  filled  with  a  struggling,  shouting,  praying, 
screaming  mass  of  humanity.  It  wras  the  most  terrible 
scene  I  ever  witnessed. 

No  artist's  brush,  no  word  painting  could  depict  the 
horrors  of  that  night.  I  had  by  no  means  recovered  from 
my  prison  experience,  and,  in  my  weakened  condition,  had 
no  hope  of  escape.  This  fact,  instead  of  exciting  me,  made 
me  calm,  so  that  I  was  able  to  take  advantage  of  every  favor- 
able circumstance  that  occurred.  Nearly  everything  that 
would  float  had  been  cast  overboard,  in  many  cases  upon 
the  heads  of  those  struggling  in  the  water.  Finding  a  chair, 
I  stripped  off  all  my  clothing  except  my  undershirt,  drawers 
and  socks,  and  as  soon  as  the  water  was  clear  of  heads  near 
where  I  etood,  I  climbed  down  the  railing  into  the  water, 
went  under,  came  up,  seized  the  chair,  but  soon  relinquished 
it  for  a  shutter  that  came  my  way,  and  endeavored  to  move 
out.  I  got  a  few  rods  from  the  boat  and  found  that  I  was 
too  much  exhausted  ever  to  reach  the  shore.  Looking 
back,  I  saw  a  number  of  men  clinging  to  the  wheel  of  the 
boat.  Having  read  of  persons  being  saved  in  this  way,  I 
determined  to  return  and  cling  to  the  wTheel.  Just  before 
reaching  the  wheel  my  strength  failed  me  and  I  gave  up. 
Sinking  rapidly,  my  foot  came  in  contact  with  something, 
the  bottom  of  the  river  or  a  drowned  body,  w7hen  1  sudden- 
ly resolved  to  try  once  more.  I  came  up  directly  under  the 


PRISON   EXPERIENCES.  345 

wheel  and  caught  hold  of  one  of  its  arms.  I  tried  to  pull 
myself  up,  but  I  could  not.  Quite  a  number  of  men  were 
clinging  to  them.  This  excessive  weight  on  one  side  caused 
the  wheel  to  make  a  partial  revolution.  This  carried  me  well 
up  out  of  the  water,  but  the  poor  fellows  on  the  other  side 
were  submerged  and  the  wheel  stopped,  leaving  me  well  up 
toward  the  top.  I  swung  over  and  stood  up  on  one  of  the 
paddles.  Here  I  rested  a  few  moments,  removing  more  of 
my  clothing.  I  feared  the  fire  would  soon  cause  the  wheel 
and  wheel  house  to  fall  from  the  boat  and  sink.  I  deter- 
mined to  reach  the  outer  edge,  but  at  that  instant  they  broke 
from  the  boat  and  sank  into  the  water.  The  rush  of  water 
broke  my  hold,  and  I  was  carried  along,  nearly  drowned. 
The  wheel  house,  in  falling,  had  floated  with  the  side  next 
to  the  boat  uppermost.  I  had  been  caught  in  it  as  in  an  in- 
verted box.  Floating  on  my  back  in  this  prison,  I  dis- 
covered a  small  hole  at  the  top,  burned  through  by  the  fire. 
This  I  enlarged  by  breaking  away  the  charred  parts,  and 
finally  got  out.  Portions  of  the  wheel  house  were  still  burn- 
ing, and  the  heat  of  the  steamer  was  such  as  to  make  it 
necessary  for  me  to  let  myself  down  into  the  water  to  pre- 
vent roasting.  The  rubbish  upon  which  I  was  floating  was 
not  yet  entirely  clear  of  the  boat,  and  appeared  to  be  slowly 
sinking.  The  hull  of  the  steamer  afforded  relief  from  the 
heat  after  the  upper  works  were  consumed.  I  secured  a 
window  blind  to  use  when  the  boat  and  the  wreckage  upon 
which  I  floated  should  sink,  which  was  liable  to  occur  at  any 
moment.  In  a  short  time  a  rowboat  came  to  the  rescue  of  a 
few  men  still  clinging  to  the  boat.  Several,  by  means  of 
chains  flung  over  the  iron  railing  of  the  vessel,  had  held  on 
for  dear  life.  These  were  now  being  taken  off.  In  a  little 
time  a  couple  of  mules  which  had  been  swimming  around  in 
a  circle  came  up  to  the  steamer  and  tried  to  climb  on,  en- 
dangering some  men  who  were  still  clinging  to  the  hull. 


346  STORY   OF   THE    I  GIST   OHIO. 

The  mules  were  driven  off.  They  swam  between  one  pile 
of  rubbish  and  the  hull,  separating  the  two.  I  floated 
quite  a  distance  down  the  stream  and  was  then  picked  up 
by  the  guard  or  picket  boat  Pocahontas,  and  taken  to  Mem- 
phis. I  was  in  the  water  probably  five  hours." 

This  was  probably  one  of  the  most  appalling  disasters 
that  ever  occurred  on  any  of  our  inland  waters.  Of  the  2,300 
persons  on  board  nearly  i  ,500  perished  at  the  time,  and  many 
others  subsequently  died  of  injuries  and  exposure.  Eighteen 
of  the  thirty -four  commissioned  officers  perished.  Of  seven 
men  with  whom  Lieutenant  Squire  messed  in  prison  only 
two  escaped.  Of  the  four  loist  men  on  board,  Captain 
Taggart,  Lieutenant  Squire  and  Jacob  Rohrer  were  saved. 
From  Memphis  they  were  sent  to  Camp  Chase  and  mustered 
out  May  15,  1865. 


III. 
JOHN  P.    GESTENSLAGER. 

Comrade  J.  P.  Gestenslager,  of  Company  G,  tells  the 
story  of  his  prison  life  in  a  most  entertaining  manner: 

"  I  was  wounded  at  Chickamauga,  and  while  making  my 
way  to  the  rear,  was  struck  by  a  limb  of  a  tree  which  had 
been  lopped  off  by  a  cannon  ball,  and  knocked  out  of  time. 
When  I  came  to,  I  was  in  the  enemy's  lines.  There  were 
a  good  many  others  there,  too.  My  wounds  hurt  terribly, 
but  I  had  to  stand  it.  We  were  sent  in  a  gunboat  of  a 
wagon  to  Ringold.  The  next  day  we  were  joined  by  some 
more  Yankees,  among  them  some  loisters.  There  were 
Colonel  McDonald  (then  a  Major),  Sergeants  David  Allison 
and  James  Herndon,  and  Privates  Sairi  Wagner,  John  Base, 
Chris.  Funk  and  Knos  Lewis.  There  were  others,  but  I 
don't  remember  their  names.  We  were  put  on  the  cars  for 


PRISON  EXPERIENCES.  347 

Richmond,  but  we  were  unloaded  at  Atlanta  and  driven  into 
a  bull-pen  to  stay  all  night.  We  were  reloaded  next  morn- 
ing, and  again  unloaded  at  Raleigh,  N.  C.  Here  wre  saw 
some  flinty  hard-tack.  While  I  was  washing  my  wounds, 
Major  McDonald  said  to  me:  "  It's  hard,  but  I  guess  it's 
honest."  We  were  hustled  off  again  and  did  not  stop  until 
we  reached  Richmond.  The  officers  were  sent  to  lyibby  and 
the  enlisted  men  to  the  Pamperton  building.  We  were  sent 
in  a  day  or  two  over  to  Belle  Isle,  where  we  were  kept 
eleven  days  with  no  shelter  of  any  kind.  There  were  a  few 
Bell  tents,  but  they  were  full  before  we  got  there.  We 
suffered  from  cold  and  hunger.  Here  I  first  learned  to 
"  spoon"  and  turn  over  by  word  of  command,  and  here  I 
traded  off  my  shoes  for  eighteen  loaves  of  bread,  and  Sam 
Wagner  and  I  sat  down  and  ate  the  whole  eighteen.  Then 
Sam  traded  his  shoes  for  more  bread,  which  we  ate  for 
breakfast,  and  felt  as  though  we  had  had  a  square  meal. 
Bach  loaf  was  about  the  size  of  your  fist.  We  were  sent  to 
Danville  on  the  23d  of  November.  It  rained  and  blew  up 
cold,  and  we  barefooted !  They  finally  put  us  in  an  old 
tobacco  house  which  they  called  Prison  No.  4.  We  had  no 
blankets;  a  few  of  the  boys  had  half  ''pup-tents,"  but  many 
had  no  covers  at  all.  Our  ration  was  a  chunk  of  corn 
bread  about  2x4x1^2  inches,  a  half  pint  of  rice  or  pea  soup, 
or,  as  we  called  it,  "bug  soup,"  and  occasionally  a  small 
bit  of  meat.  We  had  a  Head  or  House  Sergeant,  a  Floor 
Sergeant  for  each  floor,  and  a  Mess  Sergeant  for  each  mess. 
The  House  Sergeant  would  receive  the  rations  from  the 
rebels  and  divide  them  among  the  three  Floor  Sergeants, 
and  they  gave  to  each  Mess  Sergeant,  who  dealt  out  to  the 
mess  directly.  We  were  here  at  New  Year's,  when  it  was 
so  intensely  cold.  There  were  seventeen  of  us  in  a  little 
office  on  the  lower  floor.  We  had  no  wood,  so  we  fell  to 
splitting  up  some  of  the  joists.  In  some  way  the  boys  got 


348  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

a  few  pine  knots.  We  built  a  fire  on  a  tin  pan  and  huddled 
around  it  all  night.  The  smallpox  broke  out  among  us 
here,  causing  many  deaths.  I  took  care  of  John  Base  while 
he  had  it,  but  I  did  not  take  it.  In  March  the  prisoners  in 
Prison  No.  4  were  sent  to  Andersonville.  Just  before  start- 
ing I  was  detailed  to  do  baking  for  the  hospitals.  I  re- 
mained here  until  I  concluded  to  take  "French  leave." 
So  one  night  I  and  three  others — Coburn,  Mac  and  Williams 
of  the  1 8th  Regulars — started  for  God's  country  without 
any  permission.  After  being  out  eleven  days  we  were  re- 
captured and  taken  to  Saulsbury,  N.  CX  Here  I  was  taken 
sick  and  sent  to  the  hospital;  my  friends  were  sent  I  don't 
know  where.  In  a  short  time  I  was  sent  to  Andersonville, 
from  Andersonville  to  Danville,  from  Danville  to  Richmond. 
During  all  this  time  I  was  sick.  Here  we  were  finally  ex- 
changed and  sent  to  Annapolis.  At  sight  of  the  Stars  and 
Stripes,  many  of  the  boys  broke  down  and  cried  for  joy.  I 
know  I  did.  Several  died  just  before  reaching  Annapolis. 
I  visited  my  home  on  furlough,  and  rejoined  the  Regiment 
at  Huntsville,  Ala.,  January  14,  1865.  I  found  a  few 
humane  officers  among  the  rebels,  but  they  were  very 
scarce." 


IV. 

GEORGE    MANN. 

Comrade  George  Mann,  of  Company  F,  was  captured  at 
Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863.  He  and  many  other 
prisoners  were  taken  to  Atlanta,  Georgia,  where  the}7  were 
stripped  of  their  outer  clothing  and  all  valuables.  From 
Atlanta  they  were  removed  to  Richmond,  where  they  re- 
mained three  months.  The  latter  part  of  December  they 
were  transferred  to  Belle  Isle,  where  they  remained  two 


PRIvSON   EXPERIENCES.  349 

months  longer.  Here  they  suffered  intensely  from  cold. 
They  were  very  insufficiently  clothed,  had  few  blankets, 
and  often  had  to  lie  in  the  snow  with  no  fire  at  hand. 
"Spooning  "  under  the  few  blankets  they  had  was  the  only 
means  of  keeping  half  warm.  From  Belle  Isle  they  were 
taken  to  Danville.  Located  on  the  first  floor,  they  immedi- 
ately began  to  plan  an  escape.  Comrade  Mann  had  suc- 
ceeded in  "  cribbing"  a  case  knife,  with  which  a  hole  was 
cut  in  the  floor.  They  at  once  began  tunneling,  using  the 
knife  and  half  canteens  for  the  purpose.  They  carried  their 
tunnel  under  the  street,  opening  it  in  a  hollow  a  little  dis- 
tance beyond.  But  they  were  detected,  and  eleven  hundred 
of  them  were  then  huddled  together  on  the  upper  floors — 
so  crowded  that  there  was  scarcely  standing  room.  They 
were  kept  in  this  condition  for  a  month.  From  here  they 
were  sent  to  Andersonville.  The  prisoners  had  received 
permission  to  dig  a  well  near  the  two  trees  in  the  prison. 
It  was  twenty- two  feet  deep.  A  plan  of  escape  was  at  once 
put  into  execution.  Ten  feet  below  the  top  of  the  well  they 
began  tunneling,  throwing  the  dirt  back  into  the  well.  This 
was  removed  during  the  day.  They  tunneled  a  distance  of 
six  hundred  feet,  which  brought  them  outside  the  outer 
stockade.  At  the  moment  when  everything  was  ready  for 
them  to  make  their  escape,  a  rebel  Sergeant  accidentally 
stepped  upon  the  thin  crust  of  earth  over  the  opening,  which 
revealed  their  plan  and  prevented  their  escape.  Later 
many  of  them  were  taken  to  Charleston  for  two  months  and 
then  to  Florence,  where  they  remained.  Comrade  Mann 
was  detailed  to  cut  wood  for  the  prisoners.  He  received  a 
pint  of  corn  meal  for  each  cord  of  wood  he  cut.  He  dug  a 
hole  in  the  ground  to  stay  in  at  night,  for  his  clothing  was 
nearly  gone.  He  escaped  while  cutting  wood,  about  Janu- 
ary i,  1864.  In  attempting  to  reach  Sherman's  army  he 
was  compelled  to  cross  a  large  swamp,  having  to  swim  some 


35°  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

distance.  Soon  after  crossing,  the  hounds  treed  him  and 
kept  him  there  until  the  rebel  cavalry  came  up.  He  was 
taken  back  and  placed  one  whole  night  and  part  of  a  day  in  a 
pen  nearly  sixteen  feet  high,  the  bottom  of  which  was  almost 
entirely  covered  with  water.  This  in  January  !  Mosby 
came  along  next  day  and  ordered  him  out  of  this  place  back 
into  prison.  He  returned  to  his  hole  in  the  ground,  and 
was  soon  after  taken  sick.  He  was  not  able  to  walk  again 
until  within  our  own  lines.  At  length  they  were  to  be  taken 
nortli  for  exchange.  The  well  ones  were  ordered  out,  and 
the  sick  ones  left.  Two  guards  came  back  for  Comrade 
Mann  and  dragged  him  by  his  heels  about  six  hundred  yards, 
and  threw  him,  with  others,  into  a  wagon  and  hauled  him  to 
the  depot.  He  was  very  roughly  handled  and  thrown  into 
a  car.  At  Williamstown  the}^  crossed  the  Pedee  river.  Here 
he  was  again  dragged  up  the  hill  and  left  lying  on  the 
ground  all  day,  too  sick  to  help  himself  at  all.  At  sundown 
all  were  put  aboard  the  train  again.  Seventy- two  sick  and 
wounded  ones  were  piled  into  one  box  car — corded  up,  as  it 
were,  like  wood,  and  taken  to  Goldsboro',  at  which  place 
they  were  pitched  out  again,  the  living  on  one  side,  the 
dead  on  the  other,  for  many  had  died  on  the  way.  Loaded 
into  a  mule  wagon,  they  were  run  two  miles  into  the  woods, 
where  they  remained  three  or  four  weeks.  From  this  point 
they  were  sent  into  our  own  lines,  much  more  dead  than 
alive.  While  at  Andersonville  it  was  quite  customary  to 
allow  the  prisoners  to  carry  out  the  dead  bodies  of  their 
comrades  and  exchange  them  for  logs  of  wood.  On  one 
occasion,  Comrade  Mann  and  another  prisoner  found  a  dead 
body  lying  near  them.  Gathering  up  the  remains,  they 
presented  themselves  with  their  burden  at  the  door.  They 
carried  it  under  guard  to  the  ridge  indicated  to  them,  and 
there  found  three  rows  of  bodies  in  all  stages  of  decompo- 
sition, from  the  bare  bones  to  the  freshly  deposited  body— 


PRISON   EXPERIENCES.  351 

a  sight  too  horrible  to  describe.  They  deposited  the  body  of 
their  dead  comrade,  secured  their  log  of  wood,  and  hastened 
from  the  revolting  scene. 


V. 

JOHN    H.    CRAWFORD. 

The  experiences  given  in  the  preceding  pages  would 
seem  to  cover  all  the  points  of  prison  life,  and  yet,  in  a 
series  of  most  interesting  articles  published  some  time  since 
by  Comrade  John  H.  Crawford,  still  other  forms  of  refined 
cruelty  are  brought  out  with  great  distinctness. 

Chief  among  these  was  the  ever  ready  and  ever  delusive 
promise  of  exchange.  Next  to  the  supply  of  daily  food, 
the  question  of  ' 'exchange  "  was  the  most  important  to  the 
poor  fellows  in  prison.  Rumors  were  constantly  in  circula- 
tion, and  hopes  were  fanned  into  life  only  to  die  in  the 
gloaming.  Did  the  Confederate  authorities  desire  to  re- 
move a  portion  of  the  prisoners  to  some  other  prison,  they 
were  quite  sure  to  hold  out  the  promise  of  immediate  ex- 
change. Under  such  an  inspiration  the  men  were  much 
more  easily  handled.  An  example  will  illustrate:  It  had 
been  decided  to  transfer  a  large  number  of  prisoners  from 
Danville  to  Anderson ville,  a  change  which,  if  known  to  the 
boys,  would  have  been  resisted  fiercely.  Comrade  Crawford 
and  many  others  were  called  into  line  one  evening  and  in- 
formed that  they  were  next  day  to  be  taken  to  Petersburg 
for  exchange.  The  announcement  had  been  made  in  such 
earnestness  and  apparent  candor  that  the  boys  believed  the 
statement,  especially  when  the  news  wras  confirmed  a  little 
later  by  a  fresh  rumor.  Early  next  morning  the  statements 
were  reiterated,  including  many  of  the  details.  Hope  ran 
high,  and  many  a  poor  fellow  whose  name  was  not  included 


352  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

in  the  list  envied  his  comrades  their  good  fortune  and  be- 
moaned his  own  bad  luck.  At  last,  when  the  hour  came, 
the  poor  follows  fell  in  with  great  alacrity,  forgetting  their 
troubles;  forgetting  their  weakness;  forgetting  that  on  many 
other  occasions  they  had  been  made  the  victims  of  mis- 
placed confidence.  But  this  time  the  guards  and  overseers 
seemed  so  honest  and  open-faced  about  the  matter,  so  can- 
did and  so  earnest,  that  they  placed  implicit  confidence  in 
their  statements,  and  bidding  good-bye  to  those  who  were 
to  remain,  they  moved  out  of  the  prison  and  across  to  the 
train  with  an  animation  born  only  of  hope.  But  they  were 
doomed  to  disappointment,  deep  and  bitter. 

When  the  poor,  half-dead  fellows  realized  that  they  had 
again  been  duped,  that  they  were  actually  headed  in  the 
wrong  direction,  the  cry  went  up  from  many  a  heart:  "  My 
God!  are  we  going  to  Andersonville ?"  Such,  indeed,  was 
their  destination,  and  into  the  horrors  of  that  vile  prison  they 
were  soon  forced,  many  never  to  emerge  alive. 

Wounded  and  captured  in  the  great  Battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga,  September  19,  1863,  Comrade  Crawford  was  im- 
prisoned at  many  places.  He  records  the  fact  that  some  of 
the  prison  keepers  were  not  as  bad  as  others,  although  the 
best  one  he  knew  put  him  and  several  others  in  a  dungeon 
for  seventy-two  hours  without  food  or  water  as  a  punish- 
ment for  having  attempted  to  escape.  At  length,  after 
eighteen  months  of  prison  life,  the  day  of  exchange  finally 
came.  On  the  26th  of  February,  1865,  Comrade  Crawford 
and  many  of  his  fellow  prisoners  were  permitted  to  greet  the 
old  Flag  again,  and  once  more  to  breathe  the  air  of  freedom. 
The  rejoicings  of  these  liberated  boys  can  never  be  fully 
appreciated  by  those  of  us  who  were  so  fortunate  as  to 
escape  capture,  nor  can  we  join  in  their  memories  of  one 
feature  of  our  great  struggle  concerning  which,  would  to 
God,  there  had  never  been  occasion  to  write. 


DEATH  OF  COLONEL  STEM. 


Colonel  Leander  Stem,  of  Green  Springs,  was  commis- 
sioned Colonel  of  the  joist  Ohio  by  the  Governor  of  the 
State,  August  14,  1862,  in  which  capacity  he  was  serving 
the  Regiment  at  the  time  he  fell  mortally  wounded  at  the 
Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  3ist,  1862.  A  man  of 
great  personal  worth  and  sterling  character,  he  was  greatly 
beloved  by  all  the  men,  and  more  especially  by  those  who 
knew  him  most  intimately. 

Naturally,  he  was  the  reverse  of  a  belligerant,  but  when 
the  call  of  the  Nation  was  made  for  strong  and  willing  de- 
fenders, none,  of  all  the  thousands  who  responded,  gave 
themselves  more  freely  or  more  unreservedly  than  he.  A 
man  who  had  led  a  quiet,  unobtrusive  life,  he  was  not  one 
who  had  sought  offices  of  public  trust  and  responsibility; 
indeed,  he  often  questioned  his  ability  to  command  the 
Regiment.  Without  ostentation,  he  ruled  with  a  firm, 
even,  and  just  hand.  Without  a  military  education,  and 
devoid  of  any  particular  military  ambition,  it  was  feared  by 
some  that  in  the  crisis  of  battle  he  would  be  found  wanting. 
Not  so.  Brave  almost  to  rashness,  so  far  as  he  was  person- 
ally concerned,  he  was  always  cool  and  collected — a  model 
of  soldierly  bearing  under  the  most  trying  circumstances. 
On  the  afternoon  of  December  30,  '62,  while  we  were  sup- 
porting our  battery  in  the  development  of  the  Confederate 
position  in  the  thickets  of  Stone's  River,  he  stood  at  his 
horse's  head,  patting  the  animal's  neck  and  stroking  his 


THE  STEM   MONUMENT, 

Green  Springs,  Ohio. 


COLONEL    STEM.  355 

nose,  but  was  constantly  on  the  alert  for  a  rush  or  a  sur- 
prise by  the  enemy.  Otherwise  he  seemed  unconscious  of 
the  surrounding  dangers. 

Next  morning  he  was  at  the  head  of  the  Regiment,  nor 
hesitated  until  he  fell  mortally  wounded,  about  8  o'clock. 
When  the  first  terrible  assault  was  made  by  the  Confeder- 
ates, he  was  observed  to  draw  his  hat  down  slightly  over 
his  eyes  and  cringe  as  one  does  in  facing  a  driving  hail 
storm,  but  with  the  first  crash  he  was  all  life  and  animation 
— but  not  excitement.  On  the  recommendation  of  General 
Carlin  he  had  not  mounted,  but  was  commanding  the  Regi- 
ment on  foot.  We  had  repelled  two  vicious  assaults  of  the 
enemy,  and  had  just  moved  the  Regiment  some  little  dis- 
tance, by  a  kind  of  side  step  to  the  left,  when,  the  enemy 
having  again  charged,  he  fell  utterly  helpless  and  mortally 
wounded. 

His  last  command  was  "  Stand  by  the  colors,  boys !" 
He  fell,  sword  in  hand,  and  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight. 
The  exigencies  of  the  battle  soon  compelled  us  to  retire  from 
this  position,  leaving  our  friend  and  Commander  in  the 
hands  of  the  enemy.  In  this  connection  I  take  pleasure  in 
transcribing  a  letter  received  from  Surgeon  John  M.  John- 
son, of  General  Pat.  Cleburne's  Staff,  in  response  to  a  letter 
of  inquiry.  The  doctor  is  in  error  as  to  the  cause  or  source 
of  our  Colonel's  death,  for  he  surely  fell  with  the  enemy 
close  in  front,  shot  by  them,  and  not  by  our  own  men. 
Following  is  the  letter : 

"  DEAR  SIR  :  *  *  *  I  found  Colonel  Stem  near  the  front  of  the 
Federal  lines.  He  must  have  fallen  on  your  extreme  right,  early  on 
Wednesday  morning,  the  3ist.  He  had  not  moved  a  foot  from  where 
he  fell,  nor  was  he  able  to  do  so.  It  was  about  9  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing when  I  found  him.  I  had  just  met  one  of  our  most  pious  Chap- 
lains who  had  been  assisting  in  the  removal  of  our  wounded,  and 
who,  finding  Colonel  Stem,  asked  for  an  ambulance  in  which  to  re- 
move him.  He  went  to  get  it  while  I  went  in  search  of  your  friend, 


356  STORY   OF   THE    IQIST   OHIO. 

and  soon  found  him.  He  told  me  who  he  was.  The  conveyance  soon 
came,  and  the  driver,  the  Chaplain  (Rev.  Mr.  Kimball)  and  myself 
with  difficulty  got  him  into  the  ambulance.  He  was  a  heavy  man. 
There  were  no  others  of  the  killed  or  wounded  near  us,  and  I  think 
he  was  killed  by  a  stray  shot,  and  as  like  as  any  way  the  bullet  came 
from  the  Federal  lines.  I  was  General  Pat.  Cleburne's  Division  Sur- 
geon at  that  time,  and  he  accompanied  the  extreme  left  of  the  com- 
mand, which  did  not  reach  as  far  as  to  where  Colonel  Stem  was 
found.  *  *  *  He  was  shot,  I  think,  through  the  kidneys,  prob- 
ably an  oblique  shot,  wounding  the  spine.  He  was  the  most  patient 
and  uncomplaining  man  I  ever  saw.  He  did  not  utter  one  single 
word  of  complaint.  When  I  found  him  he  was  lying  on  his  face — 
he  could  not  lie  in  any  other  way.  In  handling  him  he  preferred  to 
face  down.  When  I  reached  the  hospital  in  Murfreesboro',  to  which 
he  had  been  sent,  I  found  him  in  the  same  position  on  a  poor  little 
pallet  of  straw.  His  wounds  had  been  very  carefully  dressed  by  the 
best  surgeon  I  had,  and  who  kept  charge  of  him  until  he  died,  Jan- 
uary 4th.  He  was  furnished  as  good  a  bed,  pillows  and  blankets,  a& 
could  be  had.  *  *  *  The  lower  half  of  his  body,  including  the 
extremities,  were  completely  paralyzed. 

"He  did  not  talk  like  a  dying  man,  but  like  one  just  ready  to  get 
up  and  go  to  duty.  I  never  saw  a  braver  man.  I  was  ordered  to  be 
ready  to  retreat  on  Thursday,  the  day  he  died,  and  having  a  great 
deal  to  do,  I  could  not  attend  to  burying  him,  or  I  might  be  able  to 
point  out  his  grave.  Such  are  the  duties  of  a  Medical  Director,  that 
during  a  fight,  a  retreat  or  a  forward  movement,  he  has  his  hands 
full.  This  was  my  condition.  I  got  the  impression  from  my  con- 
versation with  Colonel  Stem  that  he  was  a  preacher. 

"  I  am  seventy-four  years  old,  and  my  memory  is  not  good,  or  I 
might  say  much  more  about  your  friend.  His  patience  under  the 
greatest  trials ;  his  fortitude  with  face  of  death ;  his  deep  piety,  and 
his  religious  faith  and  confidence  assure  me  that  I  shall  scarcely  see 
his  like  again.  I  write  this  with  great  pleasure. 
"  I  am,  very  truly  yours, 

"JOHN  M.  JOHNSON. 

"Atlanta,  Ga.,  December  19,  1885." 

In  due  time  the  body  of  Colonel  Stem  was  removed  to 
his  native  State  and  buried  with  appropriate  honors  in  the 
beautiful  cemetery  at  Green  Springs.  At  the  close  of  the 
war  arrangements  were  made  for  the  erection  of  a  monu- 


LIEUTENANT-COLONEL  WOOSTER.  357 

ment  to  his  memory.  A  shaft  of  beautiful  proportions  was 
erected,  and  on  the  nth  day  of  July,  1866,  the  monument 
was  solemnly  dedicated  in  the  presence  of  a  very  large  con- 
course of  people.  Gen.  W.  H.  Gibson,  a  personal  friend,  a 
valiant  soldier,  and  brave  defender  of  the  Republic,  delivered 
an  eloquent  address,  every  sentence  of  which  was  teeming 
full  of  patriotism : 

l'Cold,  lifeless  granite  that  it  is,  it  has  all  the  glow 
which  inspiration  excites,  and  awakens  all  our  sympathies 
and  emotions.  That  monument,  the  production  of  a  gener- 
ous patriotism,  is  not  alone  for  this  day,  nor  this  year,  but 
for  all  time.  And  may  it  there  stand  as  the  cycles  of  time 
pass  on,  continuing  to  excite  and  attract  the  admiration,  in- 
terest and  enthusiasm  of  generations  yet  to  come.  That 
monument  stands  for  the  unborn  centuries.  August  Future, 
take  it  and  keep  it,  and  safely  through  an  hundred  centuries 
preserve  it.  Take  our  memorial  tribute  and  preserve  it  for 
all  time,  so  that  long — long  after  we  have  moldered  to  our 
native  dust,  our  children's  children,  and  the  children  of  all 
our  race  who  have  hearts  to  be  inspired  by  principles  of 
liberty  and  justice  shall  drop  tears  at  this  tomb,  and  regard 
it  as  a  precious  heritage  given  them  by  noble  ancestors." 


DEATH  OF  LIEUT.-COL.  WOOSTER. 


Answering  the  first  call  for  troops,  Colonel  Wooster  en- 
tered the  service  of  his  country  at  the  very  beginning  of  the 
war.  Later  he  became  Adjutant  of  the  24th  Ohio,  and  still 
later  was  promoted  to  the  Captaincy  of  Company  I,  that 
regiment.  Resigning  this  position,  he  was  commissioned 
and  mustered  Major  of  the  loist,  which  position  he  held 


358  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

until  October  i4th,  1862,  when,  on  the  resignation  of  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Franz,  he  became  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the 
Regiment.  Indeed,  he  had  for  some  time  been  in  the  dis- 
charge of  the  duties  of  that  position,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Franz  not  being  able  for  duty. 

Active  and  earnest,  he  was  a  great  help  to  Colonel  Stem 
in  the  long  march  of  the  Regiment  from  Crab  Orchard  to 
Nashville,  and  especially  in  the  advance  upon  Murfreesboro'. 
At  the  Battle  of  Knob  Gap  he  was  constantly  on  duty- 
ready,  willing,  and  capable.  In  developing  the  enemy's 
lines  along  Stone's  River,  on  the  3oth  of  December,  he 
showed  great  skill  and  bravery,  and  was  an  inspiration  to 
the  boys  in  these  trying  hours.  Alert  until  after  midnight 
of  the  3oth,  he  was  at  his  post  long  before  the  dawn  next 
morning.  His  cheerful  face,  prompt  act  and  brave  bearing, 
carried  a  feeling  of  confidence  and  determination  to  the  heart 
of  many  a  boy  as  the  lowering  clouds  of  that  dreadful  day 
began  to  gather.  The  history  of  the  unequal  struggle  is 
told  in  its  proper  place  in  the  preceding  pages.  The  great 
storm  which  had  been  gathering  since  Perry ville  had  burst 
on  the  extreme  right  of  the  National  line,  with  results  dis- 
astrous to  the  Union  cause.  The  enemy  had  fallen. heavily 
upon  our  own  Brigade  and  Regimental  front,  but  we  had 
gallantly  repulsed  them,  not  once,  but  twice,  and  we  were 
in  excellent  spirits  though  scores  of  our  brave  fellows  were 
down — some  dead,  some  dreadfully  wounded.  Colonel  Stem, 
on  the  order  of  General  Carlin,  had  moved  the  Regiment  by 
the  left  flank  a  short  distance  when  again  the  Confederates 
assaulted,  brave  Colonel  Stem  going  down  in  the  storm, 
wounded  unto  death.  Rushing  to  his  side,  a  few  words 
passed  between  them  and  Wooster  took  the  command  of  the 
Regiment.  With  a  fury  that  my  pen  is  powerless  to  portray, 
the  battle  raged  and  swayed  and  grew  into  enormous  pro- 
portions, in  the  midst  of  the  din  and  inexpressible  savage- 


LIEUTENANT-COLONEL  WOOSTER.  359 

ness  of  which  L,ieutenant-Colonel  Wooster,  like  his  chief, 
Colonel  Stem,  was  laid  low,  and  must  soon  be  numbered 
with  the  dead.  An  effort  was  made  to  bear  him  from  the 
field,  but  the  exigencies  of  the  battle — the  unfortunate  yield- 
ing of  our  right — made  it  necessary  for  us  to  withdraw,  and 
he  could  not  be  taken  far.  "  Put  me  down,  boys,"  said  the 
brave  man,  "and  go,  defend  the  colors.  I  am  wounded  and 
can  be  of  no  further  service."  The  necessity  was  upon  them, 
and  he,  with  a  number  of  others  also  wounded,  fell  into  Con- 
federate hands.  To  stay  the  flow  of  blood  he  had  tied  his 
sword  strap  tightly  around  his  leg  just  above  the  wound, 
but  before  he  was  taken  to  the  field  hospital,  at  the  Griscom 
house,  he  had  become  weak  and  cold  from  the  loss  of  blood. 
The  Confederates  administered  stimulants  and  restoratives, 
but  all  to  no  purpose.  Comrade  Edward  Lepper,  who  was 
wounded  and  captured  at  the  same  time,  remained  with 
him,  ministering  to  his  wants  in  every  possible  way  until 
death  ended  his  sufferings,  January  2,  1863. 

A  few  weeks  after  the  battle,  his  remains  were  removed 
to  his  home  in  the  North  for  more  suitable  interment.  His 
last  resting-place  is  in  the  beautiful  cemetery  at  Norwalk,  O. 
Thus  was  another  noble  victim  added  to  the  long  list  of  sac- 
rifices so  freely  made  for  home  and  country. 


ROSTER. 


FIELD  AND  STAFF. 

COLONEL  LEANDER  STEM  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin  and  mus- 
tered at  Monroeville,  August  14,  1862.  Mortally  wound- 
ed while  in  command  of  his  Regiment  in  Battle  of  Stone's 
River,  December  31,  1862.  Died  at  Murfreesboro',  Jan- 
uary 4,  1863,  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  (See  Death 
of  Colonel  Stem.) 

GENERAL  ISAAC  M.  KIRBY — Mustered  as  Captain  of  Com- 
pany F,  at  Columbus,  July  30,  1862.  Promoted  to  Major, 
October  14,  1863.  Ordered  by  General  Carlin  to  com- 
mand the  Regiment  upon  the  fall  of  Colonels  Stem  and 
Wooster,  at  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Colonel  at  Murfreesboro',  February  14, 
1863.  Commissioned  Brevet  Brigadier-General,  January 
30,  1865,  by  the  President.  Mustered  out  with  the 
Regiment. 

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL  JOHN  FRANZ — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus 
and  mustered  as  Lieutenant  -  Colonel  at  Monroeville, 
August  9,  1862.  Resigned,  October  14,  1862,  on  account 
of  disability.  Died  at  Bucyrus,  O.,  November  14,  1870. 

LIEUTENANT  -  COLONEL  MOSES  F.  WOOSTER  —  Formerly 
Captain  of  Company  I,  24th  Ohio  Infantry,  was  mustered 
as  Major  of  the  Regiment  on  commission  issued  by  the 
Governor.  Promoted  to  Lieutenant-Colonel,  October  14, 
1862.  Mortally  wounded  at  Battle  of  Stone's  River, 
December  31,  1862.  Died  in  hospital  on  the  field  of 
battle,  January  2,  1863.  (See  Death  of  Col.  Wooster.) 

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL  JOHN  MESSER — Enrolled  at  Berlin 
and  mustered  as  Captain  of  Company  G,  July  30,  1862. 


ROSTER.  361 

Promoted  to  Lieutenant- Colonel,  February  14,  1863. 
Wounded  at  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862, 
and  twice  wounded  at  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September 
19,  1863,  but  valiantly  carried  the  colors,  refusing  to 
leave  the  field  until  wounded  a  second  time.  Resigned, 
January  7,  1864,  on  account  of  wounds.  Died  in  Chicago, 
January  6,  1874. 

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL  BEDAN  B.  MCDONALD — Enrolled  at 
Sulphur  Springs,  and  mustered  as  Captain  of  Company 
C,  July  23,  1862.  Promoted  to  Major,  February  14,  1863. 
Taken  prisoner  at  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  20, 
1863.  Imprisoned  at  Libby.  Escaped,  and  rejoined  the 
Regiment  at  Ooltewah,  in  February,  1864.  Promoted 
to  Lieutenant-Colonel,  February  26,  1864.  Wounded  in 
Battle  of  Franklin,  November  30,  1864.  Mustered  out 
with  the  Regiment.  Died  at  Denver,  Colo.,  December 
21,  1879.  For  a  full  and  most  interesting  account  of  the 
escape  of  Comrade  McDonald  and  others,  see  the  Cent- 
ury Magazine  for  March,  1888. 

MAJOR  DANIEL  H.  Fox — Enrolled  at  New  London  and 
mustered  as  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  A,  July  28, 
1862.  Promoted  to  First  Lieutenant,  December  19, 
1862;  to  Captain,  January  4,  1863,  and  to  Major, 
February  18,  1864.  Resigned,  September  28,  1864,  on 
account  of  disability.  Died,  May  26,  1894,  at  Norwalk, 
O.  After  the  war,  Comrade  Fox  became  very  promi- 
nent in  legal  and  financial  circles,  having  served  as 
Judge  of  Probate  for  fifteen  years,  and  at  the  close  of 
that  time  having  been  chosen  President  of  the  Huron 
County  Banking  Company,  which  position  he  held  at  the 
time  of  his  death. 

SURGEON  THOMAS  M.  COOK — Enrolled  and  mustered  as 
Surgeon  at  Monroeville,  August  12,  1861.  Appointed 
Brigade  Surgeon,  in  September,  1862,  at  Covington,  Ky. 
Served  during  the  war,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the 
Regiment. 

ASSISTANT  SURGEON  GEORGE  S.  YINGLING — Enrolled  at 
Tiffin,  August  13,  1862.  Resigned,  January  15,  1863, 
on  account  of  disability. 


362  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

ASSISTANT  SURGEON  WALTER  CASWELL — Enrolled  at  Cas- 
talia,  August  17,  1862.  Resigned,  July  28,  1863,  on  ac- 
count of  disability. 

ASSISTANT  SURGEON  HENRY  T.  LACY — Appointed  from 
civil  life,  July  28,  1863.  Enrolled  at  Winchester,  Au- 
gust 1 6,  1863.  Resigned,  November  26,  1864. 

ASSISTANT  SUEGEON  HIRAM  H.  RUSSELL  —  Appointed 
from  civil  life,  November  26,  1864.  Enrolled  at  Shield's 
Mills,  Tenn.,  April  7,  1865.  Mustered  out  with  Regi- 
ment. 

CHAPLAIN  OLIVER  KENNEDY — Enrolled  at  Monroeville, 
September  4,  1862.  Resigned,  November  17,  1863,,  to 
enter  the  work  of  the  Christian  Commission,  in  which  he 
continued  to  the  end  of  the  war.  A  man  of  great  energy, 
sterling  character,  and  boundless  faith,  he  accomplished 
great  good,  not  only  during  his  connection  with  the  army,, 
but  later,  in  the  years  of  peace  that  succeeded  the  great 
storm.  He  died' at  Bellefontaine,  Ohio,  March  23,  1889, 
loved  and  mourned  by  all  who  knew  him. 

CHAPLAIN  ERASTUS  M.  CRAVATH — Enrolled  at  Columbus, 
January  6,  1864,  as  a  private  in  Co.  G.  Promoted  to 
Chaplain  and  transferred  to  Field  and  Staff,  January 
7,  1864.  Mustered  out  with  the  Regiment,  June  12,  1865. 

ADJUTANT  LEONARD  D.  SMITH  —  Enrolled  at  Sandusky, 
August  4,  1862,  as  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant.  Promoted 
to  Captain  and  assigned  to  Company  C,  May  2,  1863. 
M.  O.  R. 

CAPTAIN  JAMES  I.  NEFF — Enrolled  at  Monroeville,  Au- 
gust 11,1862.  Mustered  with  Regiment.  Commissioned 
Second  Lieutenant,  Company  H,  September  15,  1862. 
Promoted  to  First  Lieutenant  and  transferred  to  Field 
and  Staff,  as  Adjutant,  May  28,  1863,  in  which  capacity 
he  served  to  the  end  of  the  war.  Was  constantly  on 
duty  with  the  Regiment  from  muster  in  to  muster  out, 
participating  in  all  its  marches,  campaigns,  skirmishes,, 
and  battles.  Was  commissioned  Captain  Company  A, 
November  3,  1864,  and  mustered  as  such  April  27,  1865. 
Occupation  since  the  war,  attorney-at-law,  Freeport,  111. 
Died,  September  14,  1893,  at  Chicago,  111. 


ROSTER.  363 

QUARTERMASTER  GEORGE  E.  SENEY — Enrolled  at  Tiffin, 
July  28,  1862.  Mustered  as  Quartermaster.  Resigned, 
November  22,  1864. 

QUARTERMASTER  O.  J.  BENHAM — Enrolled  at  Crestline, 
August  n,  1862,  as  Quartermaster  Sergeant.  Promoted 
to  extra  First  Lieutenant  and  Regimental  Quartermas- 
ter, December  2,  1864.  Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
Died  at  Cleveland,  O.,  June  n,  1893.  The  very  ex- 
cellent condition  of  the  Department  under  Quartermas- 
ter Seney  was  fully  sustained  by  Comrade  Benhani  dnring 
the  trying  times  incident  to  the  dying  throes  of  the  Con- 
federacy, including  the  battles  of  Franklin  and  Nashville, 
the  pursuit  of  Hood,  the  expedition  into  North  Caro- 
lina, and  the  final  settlement  of  the  affairs  of  the  Regi- 
ment at  the  time  of  muster  out,  June  12,  1865. 


NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 

BEER,   WILLIAM    N. — Enrolled   at   Bucyrus,    August    14, 

1862.  Mustered  as  Sergeant  Major  and  assigned  to  Non- 
Commissioned  Staff.     Promoted  to  First  Lieutenant  and 
assigned  to  Company  C,  January  2,  1863.     Promoted  to 
Captain  and  assigned  to  Company    H,    May  19,    1864. 
Mustered  out  with  the  Regiment.     Died  in  September, 
1874,  at  Valparaiso,  Ind. 

SMITH,  JAY  C. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5,  1862,  as 
private  in  Company  B.  Promoted  to  Sergeant  Major 
and  assigned  to  Non-Commissioned  Staff,  February  14, 

1863.  Discharged  to  accept  commission  as  First  Lieu- 
tenant in  Company  I,  December  18,  1864,  to  date  Sep- 
tember 28,  1864.     Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 

LEE,  MONROE — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  15,  1862,  in 
Company  K.  Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River, 
December  31,  1862.  Promoted  to  Corporal,  April  i, 
1863;  to  Sergeant  Major  and  assigned  to  Non-Coni- 
Commissioned  Staff,  May  10,  1864.  Mustered  out  with 
Regiment. 


364  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

SHUMAN,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  13,  1862,  in 
Company  K.  Promoted  to  Sergeant,  April  i,  1863;  to 
First  Sergeant,  May  24,  1863.  Wounded  in  the  Battle 
of  Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863.  Appointed  Quar- 
termaster Sergeant  and  assigned  to  Non- Commissioned 
Staff,  December  2,  1864.  Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 

PIERCE,   GEORGE  W.—  Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August   12, 

1862.  Mustered  as  Commissary  Sergeant.     Discharged, 
March  24,  1863,  Columbus,  O.,  on  account  of  disability. 

DAVIS,  WILLIAM  R. — Enrolled  at  Galion,  August  16,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Corporal  Company  E.  Promoted  to  Com- 
missary Sergeant  and  transferred  to  Non- Commissioned 
Staff,  March  17,  1863.  Received  commission  as  Second 
Lieutenant,  but  was  not  mustered.  Discharged  to  accept 
commission  as  First  Lieutenant  Company  K,  December 
1 8,  1864,  to  date  July  30,  1864.  Assigned  to  duty  in 
Company  A,  August  n,  1864;  to  command  of  Com- 
panies A  and  F,  September  29,  1864.  Commanded  Com- 
pany K  in  the  Battle  of  Franklin.  Mustered  out  with 
Regiment. 

HOMER,  J.  R. — Enrolled  at  Galion,  August  6,  1862.  Mus- 
tered as  Corporal  Company  E.  Promoted  to  Sergeant, 
January  27,  1863  ;  to  Commissary  Sergeant,  and  trans- 
ferred to  Non-Commissioned  Staff,  September  29,  1864. 
Discharged  to  accept  commission  as  First  Lieutenant 
Company  C,  February  25,  1865,  to  date  November  3, 
1864.  Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 

WHITEMAN,  MARQUIS  D.  L. — Enrolled  at  Republic,  Au- 
gust n,  1862,  as  private  in  Company  H.  Promoted  to 
Sergeant,  September  19,  1863.  Carried  the  flag,  after 
Kenesaw,  to  Jonesboro'.  Promoted  to  Commissary  Ser- 
geant and  transferred  to  Non-Commissioned  Staff,  Feb- 
ruary 1 8,  1865.  Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 

LATHROP,  L.  B. — Enrolled  at  Monroeville,  August  15,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Hospital  Steward.  Discharged  at  Louis- 
ville, Ky.,  April  14,  1863,  on  account  of  disability. 

MATTHEWS,  J.  E. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5,  1862, 
as  private  in  Company  B.  Promoted  to  Hospital  Steward 
and  transferred  to  Non-Commissioned  Staff,  May  15, 

1863.  Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 


ROSTER.  365 

COMPANY  A. 

Mustered  in  at  Monroeville,  August  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  at  Camp  Harker,  Term.,  June  12,  1865. 

CAPTAIN  CHARLES  CALIGAN — Enrolled  at  Monroeville,  July 
15,  1862.  Mustered  as  Captain.  Resigned,  December 
10,  1862,  on  account  of  disability. 

CAPTAIN  DANIEL  H.  Fox— Enrolled  at  New  London,  July 
28,  1862.  See  Field  and  Staff. 

LIEUTENANT  ASA  R.  HILLYER — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  July 
15,  1862.  Mustered  as  First  Lieutenant.  Died  in  rebel 
hospital  at  Murfreesboro',  January  4,  1863,  of  wounds 
received  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River.  December  31, 1862, 
while  defending  our  second  position  in  the  cotton  field. 

LIEUTENANT  BENJAMIN  F.  BRYANT — Enrolled  at  Norwalk, 
August  9,  1862.  Mustered  as  Fifth  Sergeant.  Promoted 
to  First  Lieutenant,  January  27,  1863,  and  to  Captain, 
March  19,  1864.  Mustered  out  with  Company.  At  the 
Battle  of  Chickamatiga  all  the  men  of  this  Company 
except  four,  were  either  killed,  wounded  or  captured. 
These  four  were  Comrades  Bryant,  Knapp,  Whitney  and 
Brady. 

LIEUTENANT  ALEXANDER  C.  HOSMER — Enrolled  at  San- 
dusky,  July  22,  1862,  in  Company  B.  Appointed  Second 
Lieutenant  and  assigned  to  Company  A,  February  i, 
1863.  Commanded  Company  B  for  a  time  after  the 
Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  20,  1862.  Died  on 
the  cars  near  Chattanooga,  May  13,  1864,  of  wounds  re- 
ceived at  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  May  n,  1864.  Comrade 
Hosmer  received  his  mortal  wound  in  the  famous  assault 
made  by  the  Regiment  upon  Buzzard  Roost.  Brave  and 
capable,  he  fell  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight. 


ATKINSON,  DELMER — Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  July  30,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Murfreesboro',  May  2,  1863,  on  account  of 
disability.     Deceased. 

ALLEN,  JAMES — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  August  9,  1862.  Dis- 
charged at  Camp  Dennison,  April  3,  1865,  on  account  of 
disability. 


366  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

AUSTIN,  JULIUS — Enrolled  at  Townsend,  August  9,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Company  F,  7th  Regiment,  Veteran  Re- 
serve Corps,  November  20,  1863.  Mustered  out  June  28, 
1865,  at  Washington. 

BASE,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  August  n,  1862.  Pro- 
moted to  Corporal,  August  i,  1863.  Wounded  and  taken 
prisoner  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  20, 
1863.  Perished  by  burning  of  steamer  General  Lyon  off 
coast  of  Cape  Hatteras,  N.  C.,  March  31,  1865. 

BRADY,  PATRICK  W. — Enrolled  at  Lyme,  August  6,   1862. 

Promoted  to  Corporal,  May  i,  1865.     Mustered  out  with 

Company.     One  of  the  four  not  injured  at  Chickamauga. 

(See  Captain  Bryant.) 
BARKER,  NEWBURY — Enrolled  at  New  London,  August,  9, 

1862.     Died  at  Nashville,  December  i,  1862,  of  fever. 

BRISOCK,  JUSTUS  F. — Enrolled  at  New  London,  August  n, 

1862.  Mustered   as   Sergeant.      Discharged   at  Louis- 
ville, December  31,  1862,  on  account  of  disability.     Died 
in  Denver,  Col. 

BUCK,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  August  5,  1862.  De- 
tailed as  wagoner.  Discharged  at  Nashville,  March  7, 

1863,  on  account  of  disability. 

BLANKS,  ROBERT  A. — Enrolled  at  Lima,  for  a  year,  March 

31,  1865.     Discharged  at  Columbus,  May  16,  1865. 
BRADLEY,  WARREN — Enrolled   at  New   London,  July  30, 

1862.     Discharged  September  2,  1863,  at  Cleveland,  O., 

on  account  of  disability.     Died  in  New  London,  O.,  May 

27,  1882. 
BARRETT,  RANSOM — Enrolled  at  New  London,  August  6, 

1862.     Discharged  at  New  Albany,  Ind.,  December   4, 

1862,  on  account  of  disability.     Deceased. 
BRADY,  TRANEN — Enrolled  at ,  July  30,   1862.     No 

record  after  muster  in. 
CARTWRIGHT,  CHARLES  E. — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  August 

6,  1862.     Died  at  Camp  Dennison,  August  12,   1864,  of 

disease. 
COLEMAN,  GEORGE  P. — Enrolled  at  New  London,  July  30, 

1862.      Severely   wounded    and   captured   in   Battle   of 


ROSTER.  367 

Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863.  Died  in  Anderson- 
ville  prison,  April  26,  1864,  of  disease  and  wounds.  Was 
left  without  proper  care  for  several  days  after  Chicka- 
mauga. (See  prison  sketch  of  Captain  Hale.) 

CHOLLAR,  Lucius  A. — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  August  9, 
1862.  Died  at  Danville,  Ky.,  November  16,  1862,  of 
disease. 

CHANCE,  LEONARD — Enrolled  at  Peru,  August  12,  1862. 
Died  at  Murfreesboro',  May  30,  1863,  of  fever. 

CHOLLAR,  JAMES  A. — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  August  5,  1862. 

CARTWRIGHT,  MILES  E. — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  August  5, 
1862.  Dicharged,  January  i,  1863. 

CLEVELAND,  WILLIAM  P. — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  August  5, 

1862.  Discharged  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,    February   12, 

1863,  on  account  of  disability. 

CARR,  CHESTER  S. — Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  September  4, 
1862.  Transferred  as  Quartermaster,  ist  United  States 
Veteran  Volunteer  Engineers.  Discharged  at  Columbus, 
March  27,  1863,  on  account  of  disability. 

CLOCK,  ANDREW — Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  August  n,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Company  K,  5th  Regiment,  Veteran  Re- 
serve Corps,  March  15,  1864. 

DISBRO,  HIRAM  C. — Enrolled  at  New  London,  August  n, 

1862.     Never  mustered. 
ERNSBERGER,  HENRY — Enrolled  at  Hartland,  August  12, 

1862.     Died  in  Green  County,  Ky.,  November  4,  1862, 

of  fever. 
EVANS,  ANDREW — Enrolled  at  New  London,  August  6,  1862. 

Discharged  at  Cincinnati,  March  21,  1863,  on  account  of 

disability.     Died  in  New  London  in  1877. 

EARL,  THOMAS — Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  August  9,  1862. 
Transferred  to  43rd  Company,  2nd  Battallion,  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps,  November  26,  1863.  Mustered  out,  June 
28,  1865,  at  Camp  Dennison.  Deceased. 

ELLS,  JAMES  E. — Enrolled  at  New  London,  August  18, 1862. 
Appointed  Corporal.  No  record  after  muster  in. 


368  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

FISH,  HENRY — Enrolled  at  Clarksfield,  August  8,  1862. 
Died  of  typhoid  fever  and  congestion  of  the  brain,  April 
25,  1863,  at  Murfreesboro',  Tenn. 

GRIFFIN,  JOHN  R. — Enrolled  at  Wakeman,  August  n,  1862. 
Left  sick  at  Nashville,  December  26,  1862.  Rejoined 
the  Regiment  at  Murfreesboro'.  Promoted  to  Corporal, 
February  i,  1863.  Severely  wounded  in  the  arm  and 
shoulder  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19, 
1863,  but  rejoined  the  Regiment  in  time  for  Atlanta  and 
subsequent  campaigns.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

GREEN,  CHARLES  R. — Enrolled  at  Clarksfield,  August  8, 
1862.  Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  Septem- 
ber 19,  1863.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

GREGORY,  NORMAN  —  Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  August  9, 
1862.  Killed,  May  30,  1864,  near  Dallas,  Ga. 

GREEN,  THOMAS — Enrolled  at  Townsend,  August  4,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Murfreesboro',  July  i,  1863,  on  account  of 
disability. 

GASTON,  HARMON — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  March  i,  1865. 
Transferred  to  Company  A,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, June  10,  1865.  Mustered  out,  July  12,  1865, 
at  Camp  Dennison. 

GREEN,  LEVI — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  February  28,  1865, 
Transferred  to  5ist  Ohio  Veteran  Infantry,  June  10, 
1865. 

HALLER,  FREDERICK  J. — Enrolled  at  East  Townsend,  Aug- 
ust 4,  1862.  Severely  wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga, September  19,  1863,  the  ball  entering  just  below 
the  left  eye,  and,  passing  through  the  head,  came  out  at 
the  back  of  the  neck.  Lay  all  night  on  the  battlefield, 
unconscious.  A  rebel  soldier  gave  him  a  drink  in  the 
morning  and  covered  him  with  a  tent  cloth.  Captured 
and  kept  in  an  open  field  with  others  for  ten  days.  A 
prisoner  for  fifteen  months  in  Richmond,  Danville,  An- 
dersonville  and  Florence.  Parolled  in  December,  1864. 
Rejoined  the  Regiment.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

HARDER,  CORNELIUS  F. — Enrolled  at  Lyme,  August  7, 
1862.  Wounded  at  Nashville.  December  15,  1864. 
Mustered  out  with  Company.  Deceased. 


ROSTER.  369 

HARRIMAN,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  July  26,  1862. 
Was  detailed  as  gardener  at  the  field  hospital  at  Murfrees- 
boro', in  the  spring  and  summer  of  1863.  Mustered  out, 
June  30,  1865,  at  Murfreesboro'. 

HARRIS,  CHARLES — Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  August  18, 
1862.  Deceased. 

HILLYER,  A.  WARD — Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  July  26,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Sergeant.  Discharged  at  Columbus,  Decem- 
ber 19,  1862,  on  account  of  disability.  Deceased. 

HILL,  ALBERT  R. — Enrolled  at  Wakeman,  August  9,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Corporal,  September  14,  1862.  Discharged 
at  Louisville,  Ky.,  January  31,  1863,  on  account  of  dis- 
ability. 

HENLEY,  PHILIP  F. — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  July  31,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Murfreesboro',  March  3,  1863,  on  account 
of  disability. 

HAS  BROOK,  JOHN  W. — Enrolled  at  Wakeman,  August  9, 
1862.  Left  sick  at  Covington.  Discharged,  November 
26,  1862,  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  on  account  of  disability. 
Died  at  Wakeman,  O.,  January  5,  1864. 

HILL,  HORACE — Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  July  28,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  January  6,  1863,  on  ac- 
count of  disability.  Died  at  Swanton,  O.,  March  10,  1893. 

HOFF,  SIDNEY — Enrolled  at  Townsend,  August  4,  1862. 
Wounded  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 
Shot  through  right  hand.  Transferred  to  Company  B, 
Second  Regiment,  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  November  17, 
1864.  Mustered  out,  July  15,  1865,  at  Cairo,  111.  Died 
at  Townsend,  O.,  February  5,  1881. 

INMAN,  ABRAM — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  August  9,  1862. 
Mortally  wounded  and  captured  in  the  Battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga,  September  19,  1863.  Died  in  the  rebel  hospital 
on  the  field  of  battle,  October  5,  1863. 

JACKSON,  ANDREW  A. — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  July  26,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Corporal.  Promoted  to  Sergeant,  December 
i,  1862;  to  First  Sergeant,  May  12,  1864.  Wounded 
in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862,  but 
assisted  in  bearing  Lieutenant  Colonel  Wooster  from  the 
field.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

24 


370  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

JEFFERSON,  FREDERICK  F. — Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  August 
11,1862.  Mustered  as  Corporal.  Promoted  to  Sergeant, 
January  4,  1863.  Promoted  to  First  Sergeant,  Novem- 
ber i,  1863.  Killed  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  May  n,  1864. 

KNAPP,  ABEL — Enrolled  at  New  London,  August  n,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Corporal,  July  i,  1863.  Promoted  to  Ser- 
geant, November  i,  1863.  Color  Bearer  last  half  of  first 
day  at  Chickamauga  and  until  March,  1864,  when  the 
old  Color  Bearer,  wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga, 
September  19,  1863,  came  up.  Mustered  out  with  Com- 
pany. One  of  the  four  left  after  Chickamauga.  (See 
Captain  Bryant.) 

KING,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  August  10,  1862.  Pro- 
moted to  Sergeant  May  i,  1865.  Mustered  out  with 
Company.  Deceased. 

KINGSLEY,  HENRY — Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  August  6,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Corporal.  Discharged  at  Nashville,  March 
10,  1863,  on  account  of  disability.  Died,  March  4,  1891, 
at  Monroeville. 

KINGSLEY,  WILBUR  B. — Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  August  9, 

1862.  Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  August  i, 

1863.  Deceased. 

KILBURN,  ENOCH  H. — Enrolled  at  Wakeman,  August  9, 
1862.  One  of  the  first  to  reach  the  captured  guns  at 
Knob  Gap.  Severely  wounded,  and  captured  at  Stone's 
River,  December  31,  1862.  Parolled  at  Richmond,  May 
3,  1863.  Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  March 
7,  1864.  Mustered  out,  August  15,  1865. 

LAMERAUX,  GEO. — Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  August  7,  1862. 
Killed,  Sept.  19,  1863,  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga. 

LOWE,  ALPHA,  JR. — Enrolled  at  Townsend,  August  4,  1862. 
Died,  June  14,  1864,  of  disease. 

LKWIS,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Lyme,  September  4,  1862.  Died 
of  typhoid  fever,  January  19,  1863,  at  Nashville. 

MARTIN,  HARMON  H. — Enrolled  at  Wakeman,  August  9, 
1862.  Detailed  to  drive  ambulance.  Captured  in  the 
Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863.  A  prisoner 
fifteen  months.  Confined  in  Libby  and  Andersonville 


ROSTER.  371 

prisons.     Exchanged,  and  mustered  out,  June  9,  1865, 
at  Camp  Chase,  Ohio. 
MARTIN,  ELWOOD — Enrolled  at  Wakeman,   September   4, 

1862.  Left  sick  at  Nashville,   December  26,   1862,  at 
which  place  he  died,  January  23,  1863,  of  typhoid  fever. 

McPHERSON,  WILLIAM  L. — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  August 
4,  1862.  Died  at  Nashville,  October  13,  1863,  of  wounds 
received  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  20, 
1863. 

McGRAW,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Clarksfield,  August  6,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19, 

1863.  Discharged,  July  14,    1864,   at  Camp  Dennison, 
on  account  of  disability.     Died  at  Fitchville,  O.,  March 
25,  1884. 

MINER,  WILLIAM  M. — Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  August  16, 
1862.  Transferred  to  ist  United  States  Veteran  Volun- 
teer Engineer  Corps,  August  7,  1864.  Mustered  out, 
June  30,  1865. 

MOODY,  JAMES  S.—  Enrolled  at  Norwich,  August  5,  1862. 

MARKS,  JAMES — Enrolled  at  Wakeman,  August  n,  1862. 

PIKE,  SAMUEL  A. — Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  August  7,  1862. 
Died  at  Covington,  Ky.,  October  10,  1862,  of  inflamma- 
tory rheumatism. 

PROSSER,  CYRUS  B. — Enrolled  at  New  London,  July  30, 
1862.  Died  January  12,  1863,  on  transport  steamer  at 
Louisville,  Ky.,  of  wounds  received  in  the  Battle  of 
Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 

POLLY,  AMOS  W. — Enrolled  at  Lyme,  August  6,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Murfreesboro',  May  17,  1863,  on  account 
of  disability. 

PARK,  MATTHEW — Enrolled  at  Bronson,  August  n,  1862. 
Mustered  out  at  Nashville,  May  16,  1865.  Died  in  Mis- 
souri in  1879. 

RUNYAN,  EDWIN — Enrolled  at  New  London,  August  13, 
1862.  Killed  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December 
31,  1862. 

RIGGS,  JOHN  L. — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  August  5,  1862. 
Died  at  New  Albany,  Ind.,  January  — ,  1863,  of  disease. 


372  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

RAIDART,  GEORGE  P.— Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  August  9, 
1862.  Appointed  Corporal.  No  record  after  March  30, 
1863. 

ROBBINS,  WILLARD  E. — Enrolled  at  Wakeman,  August  7, 
1862.  Mustered  as  Corporal.  Discharged  at  Nashville, 
April  29,  1863,  on  account  of  disability. 

RYAN,  VANRENSSALAER  M. — Enrolled  at  Towusend,  August 
4,  1862.  Appointed  Corporal,  August  30,  1862.  Dis- 
charged at  Columbus,  April  24,  1863,  on  account  of  dis- 
ability. 

RUSSELL,  WILLIAM  H. — Enrolled  at  Wakeman,  August  n, 
1862.  Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  Septem- 
ber 19,  1863.  Transferred  to  United  States  Navy,  April 
15,  1864. 

SEARL,  JOEL — Enrolled  at  Hartland,  August  4,  1862.  Died 
at  Hartland,  April  2,  1863,  of  fever. 

STEWART,  GEORGE  A. — Enrolled  at  Lyme,  August  4,  1862. 
Never  mustered,  too  old.  Died  in  Fall  of  1862. 

SMITH,  DAVID  W. — Enrolled  at  Ridgeville,  August  4,  1862. 
Mustered  as  First  Sergeant.  Discharged  at  Columbus, 
March  6,  1863,  on  account  of  disability. 

STRONG,  BENJAMIN  T. — Enrolled  at  Wakeman,  August  n, 

1862.  Promoted  to  Sergeant,  Feb.  i,  1863.     Wounded 
and  captured  at  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  20, 

1863.  Discharged  at  Camp  Chase,  May  5,  1864,  on  ac- 
count of  gunshot  wound  in  the  left  fore  arm,  both  bones 
fractured.     In  prison  for  two  months. 

SMITH,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  August  n,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Camp  Dennison,  January  4,  1864,  on  ac- 
count of  wounds  received  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River, 
December  31,  1862.  Deceased. 

SH ANGER,  WILLIAM  W. — Enrolled  at  Peru,  August  12, 
1862.  Transferred  to  ist  United  States  Veteran  Volun- 
teer Engineer  Corps,  August  7,  1864.  Mustered  out, 
June  30,  1865.  Deceased. 

SPRINGER,  OLIVER  H.  P. — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  August  5, 
1862.  Transferred  to  Vetearn  Reserve  Corps,  March  i_ 
1864. 


ROSTER.  373 

STEVENS,  MARQUIS  D. — Enrolled  at  New  London,  August 
n,  1862.  Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  Janu- 
uary  5,  1864. 

STIMPSON,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  August  9,  1862. 
Shot  through  the  right  lung  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's 
River,  December  31,  1862.  Transferred  to  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps,  January  14,  1864. 

SIMMONS,  LovELL  R. — Enrolled  at  Wakeman,  August  9, 
1862.  No  record  after  muster  in. 

STAUNTON,  GERSHAM  R. — Enrolled  at  Townsend,  August 
9,  1862.  No  record  after  muster  in. 

SCOTT,  JOSEPH. — Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  July  28,  1862. 
No  record  after  muster  in. 

TURNER,  CHARLES  A. — Enrolled  at  Ridegfield,  July  29, 
1862.  Transferred  to  Mississippi  Marine  Brigade,  Jan- 
uary, 1863.  Deceased. 

VOSBURGH,    ISAAC — Enrolled  at  New  London,   August  4, 

1862.  Discharged  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  January  i,  1863, 
on  account  of  disability. 

VANSCOY,  VANRENSSALAER — Enrolled  at  New  London,  Au- 
gust 13,  1862.  Discharged  at  New  Albany,  January  17, 

1863,  on   account  of  wounds  received  in  the  Battle  of 
Stone's  River,   December  31,  1862.     Killed  accidentally, 
near  Clinton,  Wis. 

WHITNEY.  ALBERT — Enrolled  at  New  London,  August  4, 
1862.  Promoted  to  Corporal,  May  i,  1865.  Mustered  out 
with  Company.  One  of  the  four  survivors  at  the  Battle 
of  Chickamauga,  September  20,  1,863.  See  Capt.  Bryant. 

WHALEY,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  September  4,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

WILSON,  SAMUEL  W. — Enrolled  at  Wakeman,   August  9, 

1862.  Left  sick  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  October  3,  1862. 
Rejoined   Regiment  at  Murfreesboro',  Tenn.,   in  April, 

1863.  Mortally  wounded  in  a  charge  at  Chickamauga, 
and  died  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy.     Body  never  iden- 
tified. 

WEBSTER,  DANIEL — Enrolled  at  Ridgeville,  August  6, 
1862.  Died  at  Murfreesboro',  February  3,  1863,  of 
typhoid  fever. 


374  STORY  OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

WOODIN,  MARVIN  W. — Enrolled  at  Townsend,  August  12, 
1862.  Died  at  Huntsville,  Ala.,  January  12,  1865,  of 
disease. 

WEBB,  GIDEON  D. — Enrolled  at  Wakeman,  August  9,  1862, 
as  Corporal.  Left  sick  at  Bardstown,  Ky.  Rejoined 
Regiment  after  Chickamauga.  Severely  wounded  at 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  23,  1864.  Discharged  at 
Columbus,  March  27,  1865,  on  account  of  disability. 
Died  at  Wakeman,  October  15,  1871. 

WILLIAMS,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Fitchville,  August  12,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Camp  Dennison,  June  16,  1863,  on  ac- 
count of  wounds  received  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River, 
December  31,  1862.  Died  in  1886  in  California. 

WELCH,  ALPHEUS  W. — Enrolled  at  Wakeman,  August  9, 
1862,  as  drummer.  Left  sick  at  Moriroeville.  Dis- 
charged at  Columbus,  November  19,  1862.  Died  Octo- 
ber 2,  1872,  at  Wakeman,  O.,  of  typhoid  fever. 

WEBSTER,  HERMAN  G. — Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  August  5, 
1862.  Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  Novem- 
ber 28,  1863. 

YOUNG,  GEORGE  A. — Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  August  9, 
1862.  Discharged  March  n,  1863,  at  St.  Louis,  Mo., 
to  enlist  in  Mississippi  Marine  Brigade.  Deceased. 


COMPANY  B. 

CAPTAIN  THOMAS  C.  FERNALD — Enrolled  at  Columbus,  July 
19,  1862.  Mustered  as  Captain  at  Columbus,  July  19, 
1862.  Resigned  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  January  25,  1863, 
on  account  of  physical  disability.  Died  in  1890. 

CAPTAIN  STEPHEN  P.  BECKWITH — Enrolled  August  8, 1862. 
Mustered  as  First  Lieutenant,  August  30,  1862.  Pro- 
moted to  Captain,  January  25,  1863.  Resigned,  Novem- 
ber 14,  1864,  at  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  on  account  of  disability. 
Died  at  Jackson,  Mich. 

CAPTAIN  JAY  C.  BUTLER — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  July  22, 
1862.  Mustered  as  Segeant.  Promoted  to  Second  Lieu- 


ROSTER.  375 

tenant,  January  25,  1863;  to  First  Lieutenant,  March  19, 
1864;  to  Captain,  February  10,  1865.  Wounded  in 
Battle  of  Nashville,  December  15,  1864.  Mustered  out 
with  the  Company,  June  12,  1865. 

LIEUTENANT  JOHN  M.  BUTLER — Enrolled  at  Sandusky, 
July  22,  1862.  Mustered  as  First  Sergeant  ;  promoted 
to  First  Lieutenant,  January  25,  1863.  Captured 
at  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862.  Con- 
fined in  Libby  prison.  Parolled.  Exchanged.  Resigned, 
December  27,  1864,  on  account  of  disability. 

LIEUTENANT  CHARLES  MORFOOT— Enrolled  at  Bucyrus, 
August  9,  1862.  Mustered  as  Corporal.  Promoted 
to  First  Sergeant,  August  i,  1863;  to  First  Lieutenant, 
November  3,  1864,  and  assigned  from  Company  C. 
Mustered  out  with  the  Company,  June  12,  1865. 

LIEUTENANT  OTIS  L.  PECK — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  Au- 
gust 20,  1862.  Mustered  as  Second  Lieutenant.  Dis- 
charged at  Murfreesboro',  Tenn.,  March  i,  1863. 

ARMSTRONG,  EDWARD  G. — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  February  29, 

1864.     Wounded  at  Kingston,  May  18,  1864.     Mustered 

out,  August  7,  1865,  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 
AUSTIN,  HARPER — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5,  1862. 

Mustered  out  with  the  Company,  June  12, 1865.  Deceased. 
BARTOW,  WILLIAM  P. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  8, 

1862.     Wagoner.     Mustered  out  with   Company.    Died 

at  Milan,  O.,  July  8,  1872. 
BURRELL,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Milan,  August  6,   1862. 

Wounded  at  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 

Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  January  28,  1863,  of  disease. 
BECKSTED,  PHILIP — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  8,  1862. 

No  record  after  December  31,  1862. 
BLY,   HENRY  J. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,   August   7,    1862. 

Mustered  as  Corporal.  Discharged  at  Nashville,  Feb- 
ruary 17,  1863,  on  account  of  wounds  received  in  Battle 

of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 
BAILEY,  THOMAS — Enrolled  at  Milan,  February  29,  1864. 

Transferred  to  Company  A,  5ist  Ohio  Veteran  Volunteer 

Infantry,  June  10,  1865. 


376  STORY    OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

BEARDSLEY,  HOMER  —  Enrolled  at  Berlin,  February  20, 
1864.  Transferred  to  Company  A,  5ist  Ohio  Veteran 
Volunteer  Infantry,  June  10,  1865.  Deceased. 

BARTOW,  SETH  A. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  6,  1862. 
Wounded  three  times  at  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  Tenn., 
September  19,  1863.  Also  captured,  but  escaped. 
Transferred  to  Company  H,  igth  Regiment  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps,  January  4,  1864.  Mustered  out  at 
Elmira,  N.  Y.,  July  13,  1865. 

WILBUR  F.  COWLES — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  8, 
1862.  Promoted  to  First  Sergeant,  January  25,  1863. 
Taken  prisoner  at  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December 
31,  1862,  and  confined  in  Libby  prison.  Parolled ;  ex- 
changed. Captured  at  Battle  of  Chickaamauga,  Sep- 
tember 20,  1863,  and  imprisoned  at  Richmond,  Dan- 
ville, Andersonville,  Charlotte,  and  Florence.  Mustered 
out,  June  9,  1865,  at  Camp  Chase. 

CURRAN,  ALLEN  M. — Enrolled    at   Sandusky,    August   5, 

1862.  Promoted  to  Sergeant,  January  25,  1863.     Capt- 
ured at  Battle  of  Stone's  River,    December    31,    1862. 
Exchanged.     In    Pioneer  Corps  on    Atlanta  campaign. 
Mustered  out,  May  30,  1865,  at  Cleveland. 

CULLEN,  ROBERT — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  7,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

CARPENTER,  WILLIAM  H. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August 
i,  1862.  Discharged  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  January  15, 

1863,  on  account  of  disability. 

CLAFLIN,  EDWIN — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  6,  1862. 
Mustered  out  at  Nashville,  May  13,  1865,  on  account  of 
accidental  wound  received  at  Ayersville,  N.  C.,  April  5, 
1865. 

CORELL,  WILLIAM  H. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  8, 
1862.  Transferred  to  Marine  Service,  May  3,  1863. 

CAMPBELL,  JAMES — Enrolled  at  Milan,  February  29,  1864. 
Wounded  near  Kingston,  Ga.,  May  19,  1864.  Trans- 
ferred to  Company  A,  5ist  Ohio  Veteran  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, June  10,  1865.  Deceased. 


ROSTER.  377 

DOUGLASS,  ANSON  B. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  July  29,1862. 
Promoted  to  Corporal,  March  i,  1865.  Mustered  out 
with  Company.  Deceased. 

DENNIS,  CHARLES  B. —  Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  7, 
1862.  Wounded  and  captured  at  Battle  of  Stone's  River, 
December  31,  1862.  Exchanged.  Detailed  as  clerk  at 
General  Davis'  headquarters,  January  30,  1863.  Mus- 
tered out,  June  13,  1865,  at  Nashville. 

DODGE,  MILTON  C. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  6,  1862. 
Killed  at  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863. 

DRURY,  JEROME — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  February  23,  1864. 
Died  at  Jefferson ville,  Ind.,  June  23,  1864,  of  disease. 

DAVIS,  JOSHUA  B. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  6,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Corporal.  Transferred  to  ist  Regiment 
United  States  Engineers,  and  promoted  to  Sergeant- 
Major,  July  29,  1864.  Mustered  out,  June  30,  1865,  at 
Nashville,  Tenn. 

DODGE,  JOHN  W. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  6,  1862. 
Transferred  to  i2Oth  Company,  2nd  Battalion,  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps,  January  4,  1864.  Mustered  out,  June 
29,  1865,  at  Evansville,  Ind.  Deceased. 

DAVIS,  SIMEON  A. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  7,  1862. 
Wounded  at  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  May  2,  1864. 

DAVISON,  GEORGE — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  February  26, 
1864.  Transferred  to  Company  A,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry,  June  10,  1865. 

ELWOOD,  HENRY  M. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  21, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Nashville,  December  20.  1862,  on 
account  of  disability.  Deceased. 

EGGLESTON,    JOSIAH — Enrolled   at   Berlin,    February   29, 

1864.  Discharged  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  May  18,  1865. 

FORD,  THEODORE — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  21,  1862. 
Wounded  at  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863. 
Transferred  to  Company  B,  i5th  Regiment,  Veteran  Re- 
serve Corps.  Mustered  out  at  Springfield,  111.,  July  7, 

1865.  Died  of  wounds,  after  discharge. 


378  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

FAXON,  SIDNEY — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  6,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  January  28,  1863,  on  ac- 
count of  disability. 

FITCH,  JAMES  C. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  6,  1862, 
Mustered  out  at  Chattanooga,  May  29,  1865. 

FOREMAN,  ALFRED  —  Enrolled  at    Sandusky,    August  8, 

1862.  Discharged   at  Nashville,   January   14,    1863,  on 
account  of  disability. 

Fox,  AMOS  W. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,   August  21,   1862. 

Transferred  to  Company  F,  2d  Regiment,  Veteran  Re- 
serve Corps,  July  i,  1863. 
GLENN,    JAMES — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,    August  6,    1862. 

Died  at  Danville,  Ky.,  November  5,  1862,  of  disease. 
GORDON,  JAMES — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5,   1862. 

Mustered  as  Sergeant.       Discharged  at  Danville,   Ky., 

March  8,  1863,  on  account  of  disability. 
GRANT,  ALFRED— Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  28,  1862. 

Discharged  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  February  24,  1863,. 

on  account  of  disability. 
GAY,   LEONARD — Enrolled    at  Sandusky,  August  6,    1862. 

Discharged  at  Nashville,  January   10,  1863,  on  account 

of  disability. 
GLASIER,  GEORGE  H. — Enrolled  at   Berlin,  February   28,. 

1864.     Mustered  out,  May  18,  1865,  at  Nashville. 

GROSS,  CHARLES — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  8,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  20, 

1863.  Transferred  to  Company  H,  igth  Regiment,  Vet- 
eran Reserve  Corps.     Mustered  out,  July   13,  1865,  at 
Elmira,  N.Y. 

HILL,  JAMES  L. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  6,  1862. 
Mustered  out  at  Camp  Cleveland,  June  20,  1865. 

HUNTINGTON,  SIMON — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5, 
1862.  Mustered  as  Sergeant.  Mortally  wounded  in  the 
Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862,  Died,  Janu- 
ary 19,  1863,  at  Nashville. 

HILL,  GEORGE  W. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5,  1862. 
Detailed  as  Musician.  Died  at  Perryville,  Ky.,  Novem- 
ber 12,  1862,  of  disease. 


ROSTER.  379 

HOLLY,  JEROME — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,   August  5,  1862. 

Died  at  Murfreesboro',  May  8,  1863,  of  disease. 
HAMMOND,  HARRISON  J. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5, 

1862.     Died  at   Murfreesboro',    February    14,    1863,   of 

disease. 
HOLLY,  ORLANDO — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  7,  1862. 

Died  at  Danville,  Ky.,  Nov.  8,  1862,  of  disease. 

HUTTON,  WILLIAM  L. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Nashville,  October  7,  1863,  on  ac- 
count of  disability. 

HINMAN,  ALBERT — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  6,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  October  10,  1863,  on  ac- 
count of  wounds  received  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River, 
December  31,  1862.  Died  in  1890. 

HARRINGTON,  SMITH — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,   August  8, 

1862.  Discharged  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  February  24, 

1863,  on  account  of  disability. 

HOLBROOK,  OLIVER — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  8,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Nashville,  March  10,  1863,  on  account  of 
disability. 

HOSMER,  ALEXANDER  C. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  July  22, 
1862.  Promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant  and  assigned  to 
Company  A,  January  4,  1863. 

HOUSMAN,  FRANCIS — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5, 
1862.  Transferred  to  i39th  Company,  2d  Battalion, 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  March  18,  1864.  Mustered  out, 
June  30,  1865,  at  Nashville.  Died  at  Wauseon,  O.,  April 
15,  1888. 

HINDS,  DAVID — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  6,  1862. 
Transferred  to  i39th  Company,  2nd  Battalion,  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps,  March  18,  1864.  Mustered  out  at  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  June  30,  1865.  Died  in  1890. 

INGLES,  MARTIN — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  21,  1862. 
Died  at  Bridgeport,  Ala,,  December  9,  1863,  of  disease. 

JUNG,  JACOB — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  n,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 
1862.  Promoted  to  Corporal,  March  i,  1865.  Mustered 
out  with  Company.  Deceased. 


380  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

JOHNSON,  THOMAS — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  2,  1862. 
No  record  after  September  4,  1862. 

KUNZ,  PHILIP,  JR. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  7,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Corporal,  March  i,  1863.  Detailed  to  carry 
Division  battle  flag,  and  received  same  from  General 
Stanley  with  a  little  speech.  Carried  same  through  sev- 
eral battles.  Placed  in  command  of  Division  Orderlies. 
Acted  as  aid  to  General  Kimball.  Mustered  out  with 
the  Company. 

KILBURN,  JOSIAH  W. — Enrolled  in  Erie  County,  March  30, 
1864.  Mustered  out  at  Camp  Dennison,  May  25,  1865, 
on  account  of  disability. 

LADD,  GEORGE  W. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Sergeant,  January  25,  1863.  Mustered  out 
June  20,  1865,  at  Camp  Cleveland. 

LUHRS,  JUSTUS — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  7,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Corporal.  June  i,  1864.  Mustered  out  with 
Company.  Died  in  New  York  City  in  1878. 

LITTLETON,  GEORGE  W. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August 
6,  1862.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

LADEN,  JAMES  H. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  7,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Nashville,  April  7,  1863,  on  account  of 
disability. 

LINCOLN,  EMMETT — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August6,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Marine  Service.  Deceased. 

MEACHAM,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5, 
1862.  Wounded  at  Buzzard's  Roost,  May  1 1,  1864.  Mus- 
tered out  with  Company. 

MERKLEY,  JACOB — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  7,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

MEEKER,  ROLLA — Enrolled  at  Monroeville,  September  3, 
1862.  Wounded  in  the  Battle  near  Atlanta,  Ga.,  July  22, 
1864.  Mustered  out  at  Louisville,  May  22,  1865,  on  ac- 
count of  gunshot  wound  in  right  hand. 

MULLEN,  DENNIS — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5,  1862. 
Detailed  in  Pioneer  Corps,  October  19,  1862.  Returned 
to  Company,  March  — ,  1864.  Wounded  at  Kenesaw, 
June  23,  1864.  Mustered  out  with  Company.  Deceased. 


ROSTER.  381 

MILLER,  JOHN  F.— Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5,  1862. 
Died  at  Nashville,  Term.,  May  26,  1864,  from  accidental 
wound  received  May  8,  1864. 

MARSHALL,  JOSEPH  T. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Louisville,  April  18,  1863,  on  ac- 
count of  wounds  received  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River, 
December  31,1 862 . 

McGATTiGAN,  CHARLES — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August 

5,  1862.     Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  May 
3,  1864.     Deceased. 

MATTHEWS,  EDWARD  J. — See  Non-Commission  Staff. 

MUNSON,  FRANK — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  February  29,  1864. 
Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  January  16,  1865. 

MILLS,  MYRON  —  Enrolled  at  Berlin,  February  25,  1864. 
Transferred  to  Company  F,  5ist  Ohio  Veteran  Volunteer 
Infantry,  June  10,  1865.  Mustered  out  at  Camp  Denni- 
son,  July  10,  1865.  Deceased. 

PIRTSCHMAN,  OSCAR  —  Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5, 
1862.  Promoted  to  Corporal,  March  i,  1865.  Mustered 
out  with  Company.  Died  at  Franklin,  Tenn. 

POMEROY,  EDWIN  C. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5, 
1862.  Died  at  Chattanooga,  June  30,  1864,  of  wounds 
received  June  21,  1864,  at  Kenesaw  Mountain. 

PAGE,  JAMES — Enrolled  in  Erie  County,  March  30,  1864. 
Died  at  Pulaski,  Tenn,  January  17,  1865,  of  disease. 

PIERCE,  CHARLES  D. —  Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  June  n,  1863,  on 
account  of  disability.  Deceased. 

PENFIELD,  HENRY  B. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Bridgeport,  Ala.,  December  30,  1863, 
on  account  of  disability. 

POPE,  WILLIAM  H. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  6,  1862. 
Discharged,  March  12,  1864,  on  account  of  wounds  re- 
ceived in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863. 

PEASE,  FRANCIS  L. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5, 
1862.  Mustered  as  Corporal.  Transferred  to  I48th 
Company,  2nd  Battalion,  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  April 

6,  1864.   Mustered  out,  June  30,  1865,  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 


382  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO- 

RICK,  WILLIAM  B. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  July  29,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Corporal.  Promoted  to  Sergeant,  January 
25,  1863.  Captured  at  Stone's  River,  December  31, 

1862,  and   confined   in    Libby  prison.      Parolled.     Ex- 
changed.    Detailed  as  Clerk  at  Division  Headquarters, 
January  19,  1865.     Mustered  out  with  Company. 

RICK,  ADEN  O. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  6,  1862. 
Wounded  and  captured  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  De- 
cember 31,  1862.  Returned  to  Company  in  November, 

1863.  Detailed  as  Clerk  at  Corps  Headquarters.     Mus- 
tered out,  June  13,  1865,  at  Nashville. 

REBADUE,  THEODORE — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5, 
1862.  Taken  prisoner  near  Huntsville,  Ala.,  January 
17,  1865.  Hanged  by  guerrillas  for  attempting  to  es- 
cape. (See  Lieutenant  Squire's  account  of  prison  ex- 
perience.) 

REED,  HIRAM — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  March  28,  1864. 
Mustered  out,  July  6,  1865,  at  Louisville,  Ky. 

REED,  Louis  C — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  March  28,  1864. 
No  further  record. 

SHUPE,  CHARLES— Enrolled  at  Milan,  August  6,  1862. 
Captured  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863. 
Imprisoned  at  Andersonville,  Charlotte  and  Florence. 
Exchanged  at  Wilmington.  Mustered  out  at  Camp 
Chase,  June  16,  1865.  Died,  August  29,  1891,  at  Mi- 
lan, O. 

SCHELB,  ROBERT — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  8,  1862. 
Wounded  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

SEVER Y,  BRADFORD  J. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5, 
1862.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

SANKEY,  ROBERT — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  7,  1862. 
Died  at  Nashville,  March  28,  1863,  of  disease. 

SHAY,  THEODORE — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  6,  1862. 
Captured  at  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 
1862.  Parolled. 

SMITH,  CHARLES  E. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  July  22,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Sergeant.  Discharged  at  Murfreesboro', 
February  14,  1863,  on  account  of  disability. 


ROSTER.  383 

SHARP,  ALONZO  R. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  6,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Corporal.  Discharged  at  Louisville,  June 
i,  1863,  on  account  of  disability. 

SEAMANS,  ORANGE — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  8,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Bowling  Green,  January  9,  1863,  on  ac- 
count of  disability. 

SMITH,  JAY  C. — See  Non-Commissioned  Staff. 

SEARS,  AMOS — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  February  29,  1864. 
Transferred  to  Company  A,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, June  10,  1865. 

TAYLOR,  WILLIAM  D. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  6, 
1862.  Mustered  as  Corporal.  Promoted  to  Sergeant, 
January  25,  1864.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

TERRILL,  JOSEPH — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  8,  1862. 
Captured  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863. 
Imprisoned  at  Richmond,  Danville,  Andersonville,  Flor- 
ence and  Charlotte.  Exchanged  at  Wilmington,  April 
i,  1865,  but  died  a  few  days  later  at  Annapolis. 

TAYLOR,  RALPH  E. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  Augusts,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Murfreesboro',  October  9,  1863,  on  ac- 
count of  disability. 

TUCKER,  ROYAL  H. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  8, 
1862.  Wounded  near  Murfreesboro'  while  on  picket. 
Mustered  out  at  Chattanooga,  May  29,  1865,  on  account 
of  disability. 

THOMPSON,  DANIEL  W. —  Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August 
5,  1862.  Promoted  to  Corporal.  Transferred  to  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps,  September  20,  1863. 

TUCKER,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  February  29,  1864. 
Transferred  to  Company  A,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, June  10,  1865. 

WALL,  CHRISTOPHER — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5, 

1862.  No  record  after  August  31,  1862. 

WARD,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5,  1862.  Mus- 
tered as  Corporal.  Discharged  at  Nashville,  April  7, 

1863,  on  account  of  disability.     Deceased. 


384  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

WRIGHT,  SAMUEL  G. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  8, 

1862.  Discharged  at   Bridgeport,   Ala.,  December  30, 

1863,  on  account  of  disability. 

WOOLVERTON,  JOEL  S. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  December  30, 
1862,  on  account  of  disability.  Deceased. 

WOOD,  DANIEL — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  6,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Nashville,  January  7,  1864,  on  account  of 
disability. 

WOOD,  MICHAEL  —  Enrolled  at  Milan,  August  5,  1862. 
Wounded  at  Perry ville,  Ky.,  October  8,  1862,  also  in  the 
Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862.  Discharged 
at  Nashville,  December  30,  1863,  on  account  of  disability. 

WENCK,  ANTON — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  8,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Bridgeport,  Ala.,  December  30,  1863,  on 
account  of  disability. 

WRIGHT,  HENRY  O. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  8, 
1862.  Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps.  Re- 
enlisted  in  23rd  Illinois  Veteran  Volunteers,  and 
mustered  out  at  Richmond,  Va.,  August  5,  1865. 

WASHBURN,  DUSTIN — Enrolled  at  Milan,  August  8,  1862. 
Transferred  to  ist  United  States  Engineer  Corps,  August 
29,  1864.  Mustered  out,  June  30,  1865,  at  Nashville, 
Tenn. 

ZIMMERMAN,  JACOB  M. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  5, 
1862.  Appointed  Sergeant,  January  i,  1863.  Wound- 
ed and  captured  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  Sept.  20/63, 
Imprisoned  at  Richmond,  where  he  died,  January  9,  1864. 


COMPANY  C. 

CAPTAIN  B.  B.  MCDONALD— See  Field  and  Staff. 

CAPTAIN  LEONARD  D.  SMITH — Enrolled  and  mustered  at 
Sandusky,  August  4,  1862,  as  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant. 
Promoted  to  Captain  and  assigned  to  Company  C,  May 
2,  1863.  Mustered  out  with  the  Company  at  Camp 
Harker,  Tenn.,  June  12,  1865. 


ROSTKR.  385 

LIEUTENANT  ISAAC  ANDERSON — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  July 
29,  1862.  Discharged  at  Nashville,  Term.,  January  2, 
1863,  on  account  of  disability. 

LIEUTENANT  WIUJAM  N.  BEER — See  Non-Commissioned 

Staff. 
LIEUTENANT  JAMES  M.  ROBERTS — See  Company  K. 

LIEUTENANT  JAMES  R.  HOMER — Enrolled  at  Galion,  Au- 
gust 6,  1862.  See  Non-Commissioned  Staff. 

LIEUTENANT  JOHN  B.  BIDDLE  —  Enrolled  at  Sulphur 
Springs,  July  23,  1862.  Mustered  as  Second  Lieuten- 
ant. Killed  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 
1862.  He  was  instantly  killed  while  the  Regiment  was 
making  its  third  stand,  at  the  northern  edge  of  the  cot- 
ton field.  At  the  moment  of  his  death  he  was  waving 
his  sword  and  encouraging  his  men  to  stand  firm,  no 
matter  what  the  odds.  Brave,  generous,  noble-hearted, 
he  was  greatly  loved  by  all  the  boys  who  knew  him. 


ADAMS,  JACOB  —  Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  9,  1862. 
Wounded,  captured  and  recaptured  in  Battle  of  Stone's 
River,  December  31,  1862.  Captured  near  Huntsville, 
Ala.,  January  17,  1865,  but  made  his  escape.  See 
Prison  Experience  of  Lieutenant  Squire.  Mustered  out 
with  Company. 

AYRES,  MATSON  —  Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  8,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Corporal.  Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Feb- 
ruary 9,  1863,  of  disease. 

ANDREWS,  HARVEY — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  8,  1862. 
Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  February  10,  1863,  of  disease. 

BAKER,  EPHRIAM  H. — Enrolled  at  Sulphur  Springs,  Au- 
gust 9,  1862.  Ambulance  driver  and  stretcher-bearer 
for  one  year.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

BECKER,  SAMUEL  W. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  6, 
1862.  Detailed  as  wagon  master  after  the  Battle  of 
Chickamauga,  September  19-20,  1863.  Wounded  at 
Battle  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  December  15,  1864,  ball  pass- 
ing through  the  body.  Mustered  out,  June  3,  1865,  at 
Detroit. 

25 


386  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

BECKER.  HENRY  W. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  6,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

BIRK,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  9,  1862.  Mus- 
tered out  with  Company. 

BRESSLER,  EDWARD — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  6,  1862. 
Wounded  at  Battle  of  Jonesboro',  September  i,  1864. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

BRETZ,  EDWIN  W. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  8,  1862. 
Wounded,  May  14,  1864,  in  Battle  of  Resaca,  Ga.  Mus- 
tered out  with  Company. 

BURWELL,  FINIS  S. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  5,  1862. 
Appointed  Sergeant,  August  29,  1862.  Discharged  at 
Murfreesboro',  May  31,  1863,  on  account  of  disability. 

BEACH,  JOHN  P. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  i,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Sergeant.  Wounded  in  Battle  of  Stone's 
River,  December  31,  1862.  Transferred  to  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps. 

CARNAHAN,  WILLIAM  R. —  Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  July  24, 
1862.  Appointed  Sergeant.  August  29,  1802.  Captured 
at  Battle  of  Perryville,  October  8,  1862.  In  hospital, 
exchanged,  and  rejoined  the  Regiment.  Mustered  out 
with  Company. 

CRALL,  SAMUEL — Enrolled  at  Sulphur  Springs,  August  n, 
1862.  Mustered  out,  May  12,  1865,  at  Louisville,  Ky. 

CLAPPER,  HENRY  E. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  8,  1862. 
Wounded,  July  4,  1864,  in  action  near  Ruff's  Station. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

CHARLTON,  JONAS  J. — Enrolled  at  Sulphur  Springs,  August 
5,  1862.  Wounded  at  Huntsville,  Ala.  On  detached 
duty  with  2nd  Minnesota  Battery  as  forager.  Mustered 
out  with  Company. 

CRALL,  David  —  Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  8,  1862. 
Captured  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863. 
Died  in  prison  at  Danville,  Va.,  May  24,  1864,  of  disease. 

CHAMBERS,  AARON  J. — Enrolled  at  Sulphur  Springs,  Au- 
gust n,  1862.  Discharged  at  Nashville,  March  8,  1863, 
on  account  of  disability. 


ROSTER.  387 

CRALL,  SIMON — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  7,  1862. 
Wounded  in  right  leg  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  Sep- 
tember 19,  1863.  Transferred  to  Company  F,  i5th 
Regiment,  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  December  5,  1864. 
Mustered  out,  July  14,  1865,  at  Cairo,  111. 

DISK,  MICHAEL — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  6,  1862. 
Killed  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863. 

DILLINGHAM,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Sulphur  Springs,  Au- 
gust 7,  1862.  No  record  after  November  3,  1862. 

EBERTH,  JOHN  —  Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  8,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

EICHER,  PETER  M. — Enrolled  at  Sulphur  springs,  August 
4,  1862.  Killed  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  Septem- 
ber 19,  1863. 

ECKIS,  EZRA. — Enrolled  at  Monroeville,  September  3,  1862. 
Appointed  Sergeant.  Dicharged  at  Columbus,  Decem- 
ber 23,  1862,  on  account  of  disability.  Deceased. 

FLOHR,  OLIVER — Enrolled  at  Sulphur  Springs,  August  5, 
1862.  Appointed  Corporal,  March  i,  1865.  Mustered 
out  with  Company. 

FRY,  OBEDIAH — Enrolled  at  Sulphur  Springs,  August  u, 
1862.  Appointed  Corporal.  No  record  after  November 
3,  1862. 

FORTNEY,  DAVID — Enrolled  at  Sulphur  Springs,  August  5, 
1862.  Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  Decem- 
ber 31,  1862.  Sent  to  Camp  Chase,  March  31  1863. 
Enlisted  in  Company  E,  i4th  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry, 
March  6,  1864,  from  which  mustered  out  as  Corporal, 
July  n,  1865. 

FORSYTHE,  CHARLES  A. —  Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August 
15,  1862.  Discharged  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  June  12,  1863, 
on  account  of  disability. 

FREEBURN,  CHARLES  A. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  8, 
1862.  Transferred  to  Marine  Brigade,  June  13,  1863,  at 
Louisville,  Ky. 

FLICKINGER,  JOSEPH — Enrotled  at  Bucyrus,  August  6,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Company  H,  i2th  Regiment,  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps,  at  Louisville,  Ky  ,  August  i,  1863.  Mus- 
tered out,  June  5,  1865,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 


388  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

FAGAN,  WALKER  V. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  8,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  August  10,  1864. 

GEORGE,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Sulphur  Springs,  August 
u,  1862.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

GRASS,  ADAM  —  Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  8,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  December  i, 
1863.  Deceased. 

HALLER,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  14,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

HOLSAPLE,  JAMES — Enrolled  at  Sulphur  Springs,  August 
2,  1862.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

HUND,  JOSEPH — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  5,  1862.  Ap- 
pointed Corporal,  June  — ,  1863.  Killed  in  the  Battle 
of  Chickamauga,  September,  19,  1863. 

HUTCHINSON,  WILLIAM  H. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August 
9,  1862.  Appointed  Corporal,  January  9,  1863.  Killed 
instantly  in  charge  at  Battle  of  Franklin,  November  30, 
1864. 

HARMON,  JONATHAN — Enrolled  at  Sulphur  Springs,  Au- 
gust 5,  1862.  Deceased. 

HALL,  GILBERT — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  i,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Murfreesboro',  February  9,  1863,  on  ac- 
count of  disability.  Deceased. 

HOLMES,  ELISHA — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  8,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Mississippi  Marine  Brigade,  May  u, 
1863.  Deceased. 

HOLLINGER,  JASON — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  5,  1862. 
Transferred  to  43rd  Company,  2nd  Battalion,  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps.  August  31,  1863.  Mustered  out,  August 
30,  1865,  at  Camp  Dennison,  O. 

JOHNSON,  FRANK — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  6,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  February  16,  1863, 
on  account  of  disability. 

KINTZEL,  FREDERICK  E.~ Enrolled  at  Bucyrus  August  5, 
1862.  Appointed  Corporal,  December  3,  1862.  Pro- 
moted to  Sergeant,  May  i,  1864.  Mustered  out  with 
Company. 


ROSTER.  389 

KANZLKITER,  FREDERICK — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  8, 
1862.  Wounded  in  Battle  of  Chickarnauga,  September 
19,  1863.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

KINNEY,  WILLIAM  A. — Enrolled  at  Oceola,  August  7,  1862. 
Wounded  and  captured  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  De- 
cember, 31,  1862.  Confined  in  Libby  Prison.  Exchanged. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

KiES,  EMANUEL — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  14,  1862. 
Wounded  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863; 
also  in  Rocky  Face,  Ga.,  May  n,  1864.  Mustered  out 
with  Company. 

KILE,  HENRY  —  Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  8,  1862. 
Killed  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 

KIMMICK,  FELIX — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  5,  1862. 
Died,  September  23,  1863,  of  wounds  received  in  Battle 
of  Chickamauga,  September  igth,  1863. 

KELLER,  WILLIAM  H. — Enrolled  at  Sulphur  Springs,  Au- 
gust 9,  1862.  Transferred  to  43rd  Company,  2nd  Bat- 
talion, Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  August  31,  1863.  Mus- 
tered out,  June  28,  at  Camp  Dennison. 

KIMBLE,  NICHOLAS — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  6,  1862. 
Wounded  and  captured  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  Sep- 
tember 19,  1863.  Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps, 
April  10,  1864. 

LASH,  PETER  B  — Enrolled  at  Sulphur  Springs,  August  9, 
1862.  Wounded  in  left  wrist  while  on  picket.  Dis- 
charged at  Columbus,  December  23,  1862,  on  account  of 
disability. 

McCuLLOUGH,  HARVEY — Enrolled  at  Sulphur  Springs, 
August  ii,  1862.  Appointed  Corporal,  January  9,  1863. 
Wounded  at  Liberty  Gap,  June  25,  1863.  Promoted  to 
First  Sergeant,  March  16,  1865.  Mustered  out  with 
Company. 

MOLLENKOPF,  GEORGE — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  6, 
1862.  Wounded  in  the  Battle  ot  Chickamauga,  Septem- 
ber 20,  1863.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

MCBRIDE,  JOHN  —  Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  5,  1862. 
Captured  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863. 
Mustered  out  at  Camp  Chase,  June  26,  1865. 


390  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

MYERS,  JOHN  H. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  8,    1862. 

Detailed  as  teamster.     Captured   and  recaptured  at  La 

Vergne,  December  3,  1862.    Mustered  out  with  Company. 
MOORE,  JOHN  J. —  Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  7,    1862. 

Killed  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 
MILLER,  HENRY  W. — Enrolled  at  Sulphur  Springs,  August 

9,  1862.     Mortally  wounded  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga, 

September  19,  1863.     Died  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
MYERS,  JACOB  B —  Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  7,  1862. 

Mustered  as  Corporal.    Died  of  rheumatism  of  the  heart, 

December  7,  1862,  at  Bowling  Green. 
MOOKE,   ROBERT  F. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  6,  1862. 

Captured  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga.  September  19,  1863. 

Died  in  prison  at  Andersonville,  November  15,  1864,  of 

disease. 

MORFOOT,  CHARLES — See  Company  B. 
MILLER,  JACOB  —  Enrolled  at   Bucyrus,  August  7,    1862. 

Discharged  at  Bowling  Green,  June  12,  1863,  on  account 

of  disability. 
MODDERWELL,    HIRAM  C. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,   August 

8,  1862.     Discharged  at  Columbus,  April   10,   1863,  on 

account  of  dssability. 
McCoNNELL,    CHARLES  —  Enrolled   at   Sulphur   Springs, 

August  9,  1862.      Discharged  at  Louisville,   Ky.,  May 

22,  1863,  on  account  of  disability. 
MILLER,  ISAAC  L. — Enrolled  at   Oceola,  August   7,   1862. 

Transferred  to    i49th  Company,  2nd  Battalion,  Veteran 

Reserve  Corps,  April  10,  1864.     Mustered  out  as  Ser- 
geant, June  30,  1865,  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 

MILLER,  ANANNIAS — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  6,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Company  K,  ist  Regiment,  United 
States  Veteran  Volunteer  Engineer  Corps,  August  7, 
1864.  Mustered  out,  June  30,  1865,  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 

NEWELL,  GILBERT  M. — Enrolled  at  Oceola,  August  7, 1862. 
Appointed  Corporal,  January  9,  1863.  Wounded  in  the 
Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863,  while  carry- 
ing the  flag.  Promoted  to  Sergeant,  March  16,  1865. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 


ROSTER.  391 

OMWIG,  JACOB — Enrolled   at  Sulphur   Springs,  August  9, 

1862.  Wounded  in  the  left  thigh  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's 
River,  December  31,  1862  ;  in  the  right  arm  in  the  Battle 
of  Chick  amauga,  September  20,  1863  ;  in  the  right  hip 
at  Resaca,  May  14,  1864.     Mustered  out,  June  19.  1865, 
at  Camp  Chase. 

POUNSTONE,  ALVIN — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  4,  1862. 
Appointed  Corporal,  August  29,  1862.  Discharged  to 
receive  appointment  as  Hospital  Steward,  November  28, 

1863.  in  Regular  Army. 

PORTER,  GEORGE  A. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  4,  1862. 
Transferred  to  i48th  Company,  2nd  Battalion,  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps,  April  10,  1864.  Mustered  out,  June  30, 
1865,  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 

POWER,  WILLIAM  H.  H. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  7, 
1862.  Transferred  to  Company  K,  ist  Regiment, 
United  States  Veteran  Volunteer  Engineers,  August  7, 

1864.  Mustered    out,    June    30,    1865,    at    Nashville, 
Tenn. 

QUAINTANCE,  AARON  J. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  9, 
1862.  Appointed  Corporal,  January  9,  1863.  Wounded 
and  rendered  unconscious  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga, 
September  19,  1863.  Captured  at  the  same  time.  Said 
to  have  been  wounded  by  the  same  shot  that  killed  his 
brother,  and  J.  Hund. 

QUAINTANCE,  TILLEY  E. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  7, 
1862.  Killed  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19, 
1863. 

RICE,  JACOB — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  7,  1862.  Ap- 
pointed Corporal,  March  i,  1865.  Captured  in  the  Battle 
of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862.  Confined  in 
Montgomery,  Pemberton  and  Libby  Prisons.  Parolled 
and  sent  to  Annapolis.  Transferred  to  Camp  Chase. 
Rejoined  the  Regiment  at  Bridgeport.  Mustered  out 
with  Company. 

RESH,  AUGUSTUS  —  Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  8,  1862. 
Transferred  from  Company  E.  Mustered  out  with 
Company. 


3Q2  STORY    OF    THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

ROBERTS,  JOHN  A. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  5,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Sergeant.  Discharged  at  Cincinnati,  Sep- 
tember 23,  1863,.  on  account  of  disability.  Severely 
wounded  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 

ROBERTS,  SAMUEL — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  5,  1862. 
Appointed  Corporal,  January  9,  1863.  Transferred  to 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  September  i,  1863. 

RUPERSBERGER,  HENRY — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  8, 

1862.  Wounded  at   Rocky  Face,  Ga,,   May    u,    1864. 
Discharged  at  Nashville,  May  30,  1865. 

SIMS,  JOSEPH — Enrolled  at  Sulphur  Springs,  August  9,  1862- 
Appointed  Corporal,  July  4,  1863.  Mustered  out  with 
Company. 

STONER,  ALMON  H. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  2,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19, 

1863.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

SOWERS,  WILLIAM  A. — Enrolled  at  Sulphur  Springs,  Au- 
gust 9,  1862.  Died  at  Murfreesboro',  August  6,  1863,  of 
disease. 

SHRADER,  WILLIAM  A.     Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,   August  5, 

1862.  Appointed  Corporal,  August  29,  1862.     Captured 
at    Battle    of    Stone's    River,   December  31,    1862,   but 
escaped.       Discharged  at    Murfreesboro',   February    14, 

1863,  on  account  of  disability. 

SHONG,  SAMUEL — Enrolled  at  Sulphur  Springs,  August  7, 
1862.  Transferred  to  Company  B,  i5th  Regiment,  Vet- 
eran Reserve  Corps,  September  i,  1863,  at  Louisville. 
Mustered  out,  June  6,  1865,  at  Springfield,  111. 

TAYLOR,  EPHRAIM — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  5,  1862. 
Appointed  Corporal,  March  i,  1865.  Mustered  out  with 
Company.  Deceased. 

TAYLOR,  JOSEPH  N. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  6,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 
1862.  Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  December 
15,  1863,  at  Louisville,  Ky. 

UNDERWOOD,  ABRAM  A. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  5, 
1862.  Appointed  Corporal,  August  30,  1862.  Discharged 
at  Louisville,  Ky.,  December  24,  1862,  on  account  of 
disability. 


ROSTER.  393 

WILLIAMS,  WILLIAM  H. — Enrolled  at  Oceola,  August  7, 
1862.  Appointed  Sergeant,  January  9,  1863.  Died  at 
Murfreesboro',  April  24,  1863,  of  typhoid  pneumonia. 

WINGERT,  FREDERICK — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  20, 
1862.  Wounded  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December 
31,  1862.  Sent  to  Camp  Chase,  April  24,  1863. 

WILLIAMS,  HENRY — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  18,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  August  31,  1863. 

WOLF,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  8,  1862.  Trans- 
ferred to  Company  I,  iyth  Regiment,  Veteran  Reserve 
Corps,  August  31,  1863.  Mustered  out,  June  30,  1865, 
at  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

WOLF,  EMANUEL — Enrolled  at  Sulphur  Springs,  August  9, 
1862.  Captured,  September  20,  1863,  at  Chickamauga. 
Mustered  out  at  Columbus,  June  7,  1865. 

YOST,  DAVID  J. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  9,  1862. 
Transferred  to  2oth  Company,  2d  Battalion  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps,  'September  i,  1863.  Mustered  out  at 
Madison,  Ind.,  June  30,  1865.  Deceased. 

YARNELL,  MARTIN — Enrolled  at  Sulphur  Springs,  August 
9,  1862.  Mustered  as  Corporal.  Promoted  to  Sergeant, 
April  26,  1863.  Died  at  Chattanooga,  September  23, 
1864,  of  disease. 


COMPANY  D. 

CAPTAIN  HENRY  G.  SHELDON — Enrolled  at  Greenwich, 
July  8,  1862.  Mustered  as  Captain.  Resigned,  January 
28,  1863,  at  Nashville,  on  account  of  disability.  Died  at 
Delaware,  O.,  April  12,  1889. 

CAPTAIN  JOHN  M.  LATIMER,  JR. — Enrolled  July  23,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Second  Lieutenant.  Promoted  to  First 
Lieutenant,  January  28,  1863;  to  Captain,  March  21,  1863, 
to  date  January  28,  1863;  to  Major,  May  30,  1865,  but 
not  mustered.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 


394  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

LIEUTENANT  J.  B.  CURTIS — Enrolled  at  Fairfield,  August 
5,  1862.  Resigned,  January  2,  1863,  at  Nashville,  on 
account  of  disability.  Died  in  Illinois. 

LIEUTENANT  IRA  B.  READ — See  Company  E. 

LIEUTENANT  ELBERT  J.  SQUIRE — Enrolled  at  Ridgefield, 
August  9,  1862.  Mustered  as  Corporal.  Promoted  to 
Sergeant,  November  14,  1862;  to  Second  Lieutenant, 
January  28,  1863;  to  First  Lieutenant,  March  19,  1864. 
Captured  at  Huntsville,  January  17,  1865.  Wounded  in 
Battle  of  Chick amauga.  Commanded  Company  F  from 
December  5,  1863,  to  August  19,  1864;  commanded 
Company  A,  in  connection  with  Company  F,  May  12, 
1864,  to  August  19,  1864,  when  he  was  relieved  of  both 
Companies  by  Lieutenant  Milliman.  Commanded  Com- 
pany I  from  December  i,  1864,  to  January  17,  1865, 
when  he  was  captured.  Mustered  out,  May  16,  1865. 
See  prison  experience,  given  elsewhere. 


ABBOTT,  JACOB  M. — Enrolled  at  Fitch ville,  August  5,  1862. 
Died  at  Nashville,  January  25,  1863,  of  typhoid  pneu- 
monia. 

AMSDEN,  LUZERNE — Enrolled  at  Norwich,  August  4,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Ooltewah,  March  23,  1864,  on  account  of 
disability. 

AUSTIN,  DUANE — Enrolled  at  Fitchville,  August  5,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  August  10,  1864. 

BROWN,  JUSTUS  N. — Enrolled   at    Ripley,  July    29,    1862. 

Transferred    to   Veteran   Reserve    Corps,    June,     1863. 

Mustered  out,  June  21,  1865,  at  Camp  Cleveland. 
BLAIR,   JOHN   D. — Enrolled   at   Norwalk,    July    29,    1862. 

Wounded  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 

Killed  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863. 

BARBER,  CLARK — Enrolled  at  Clarksfield,  August  n,  1862. 
Died,  July  7,  1863,  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  of  typhoid  pneu- 
monia. 

BURGESS,  EGBERT  M. — Enrolled  at  Greenwich,  August  9, 
1862.  Died,  December  3,  1862,  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  of 
disease. 


ROSTER.  395 

BACON,  CHARLES  C. — Enrolled  at  Ripley,  August  7,  1862. 
Died,  January  i,  1863,  at  Nashville,  of  typhoid  pneu- 
monia. 

BRIGGS,  WILLIAM  M.—  Enrolled  at  Greenwich,  August  8, 
1862. 

BRIGGS,  CHARLES  M. — Enrolled  at  Greenwich,  August  8, 
1862. 

BREWSTER,  CHARLES  F. — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  August  4, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Nashville,  April  25,  1863,  on  ac- 
count of  wounds  received  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  De- 
cember 31,  1862.  Deceased. 

BELL,  WILLIAM  R. — Enrolled  at  Ripley,  August  8,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Cincinnati,  March  13,  1863,  on  account  of 
disability. 

BELL,  JESSE  W. — Enrolled  at  Ripley,  August  8,  1862.  Dis- 
charged at  lyouisville,  February  7,  1863,  on  account  of 
disability. 

BROWN,  FREDERICK  G. — Enrolled  at  Monroeville,  July  30, 

1862.  Discharged  atTyner's  Station,  February  3,  1864, 
on  account  of  disability.     Died,  July  7,  1893,  at  Waver- 
ley,  Tenn. 

BISHOP,  ALONZO  T. — Enrolled  at  Norwich,  August  i,  1862. 

Discharged  at  Columbus,  April  27,  1865,  on  account  of 

wounds   received  in  Battle  of  Franklin,  November  30, 

1864. 
BISHOP,    DELOS— Enrolled   at    Norwich,    August   5,    1862. 

Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  August  i,   1863. 

BISHOP,  JOSEPH  L. — Enrolled  at  Norwich,  August  5,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  November  i, 

1863.  Deceased. 

CRAWFORD,  JOHN  H. — Enrolled  at  Ripley,  July  28,  1862. 
Wounded  and  captured  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  Sep- 
tember 19,  1863.  A  prisoner  at  Belle  Isle,  Libby,  Dan- 
ville, Andersonville,  Charleston,  and  Florence.  (See 
prison  experience.)  Exchanged  at  Wilmington,  N.  C., 
February  26,  1865.  Returned  to  Company,  February 
28,  1865.  Mustered  out,  June  9,  1865,  at  Camp  Chase. 


396  STORY    OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

CURTIS,  JOTHAM  A. — Enrolled  at  Fitchville,  July  28,  1862. 
Died  at  Nashville,  August  15,  1864,  of  wounds  received 
in  the  storming  of  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  June  27, 1864. 

CONOVER,  WILLIAM  N. — Enrolled  at  Fairfield,  August  9, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Bowling  Green,  February  3,  1863, 
on  account  of  disability. 

COLE,  ENOCH  P.— Enrolled  at  Greenfield,  August  8,  1862. 
Mustered  out  at  Nashville,  May  16,  1865,  on  account  of 
disability. 

CURTIS,  GEORGE  W. — Enrolled  at  Fairfield,  August  9,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Bowling  Green,  January  13,  1863,  on  ac- 
count of  disability. 

CUNNINGHAM,  EDWIN  W. — Enrolled  at  Clarksfield,  August 
i,  1862.  Discharged  at  Lebanon,  Ky.,  June  22,  1863, 
to  accept  Hospital  Stewardship  in  Regular  Army. 

CARPENTER,  CHESTER  H. — Enrolled  at  Fairfield,  August  u, 
1862.  Transferred  to  Company  F,  i5th  Regiment,  Vet- 
eran Reserve  Corps,  January  15,  1864.  Mustered  out, 
July  14,  1865,  at  Cairo,  Illinois. 

CRANE,  JOEL  R. — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  February  2,  1864. 
Transferred  to  Company  A,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, June  10,  1865. 

DICKINSON,  WILLIAM  L- — Enrolled  at  Fairfield,  August  9, 
1862.  Died  at  Louisville,  December  12,  1862,  of  disease. 

DENTON,  WILLIAM  S. — Enrolled  at  Fitchville,  August  5, 
1862.  Died  at  Chattanooga,  June  26,  1864,  of  typhoid 
pneumonia. 

DRAKE,  GEORGE  F.— Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  August  8, 
i8t>2.  Discharged  at  Winchester,  Tenn.,  July  15,  1863, 
on  account  of  disability. 

DILLS,  HENRY  G. — Enrolled  at  Greenwich,  August  9,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Company  F,  yth  Regiment,  Veteran  Re- 
serve Corps,  September  30,  1863.  Mustered  out,  June 
28,  1865,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 

FOWLER,  EDWARD  P. — Enrolled  at  Ripley,  August  7,  1862 
Wounded  at  Atlanta,  August    3,    1864,     Mustered   out 
with   Company.     Died  at  St.  Barnardino, -Cal.,  Septem- 
ber 9,  1889. 


ROSTER.  397 

FRANK,  CONSTANTINE — Enrolled  at  Peru,  July  28,  1862. 
Died  at  Murfreesboro',  May  31,  1863,  of  typhoid  pneu- 
monia. 

FISH,  GEORGE  W.— Enrolled  at  Fairfield,  August  9,  1862. 
Died  at  Nashville,  January  5, 1863,  of  typhoid  pneumonia. 

FURLONG,  MYRON  G. — Enrolled  at  Clarksfield,  August  8, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Nashville,  February  10,  1863,  on 
account  of  disability. 

GOWDY,  CHARLES  A. — Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  August  9,1862. 
Died  at  Bardstown.  Ky.,  December  8,  1862,  of  disease. 

GIBSON,  JEROME  G. — Enrolled  at  Greenwich,  July  28,  1862. 
Appointed  Corporal,  August  9,  1862.  Discharged  at 
Nashville,  January  7,  1863,  on  account  of  disability. 

GUTHRIE,  LEROY  I,. — Enrolled  at  Greenfield;  July  26,  1862. 
Mustered  out  at  Nashville,  May  15,  1865.  Deceased. 

GOODMAN,  GEORGE  W. — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  August  9, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Nashville,  February  6,  1863,  on 
account  of  disability.  Deceased. 

HUBBELL,  GEORGE  N. — Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  August  9, 
1862.  Appointed  Sergeant,  May  i,  1863.  Promoted  to 
First  Sergeant.  September  20,  1863.  Wounded  in  Battle 
of  Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863.  Mustered  out 
with  Company. 

HOLLOWAY,  JAMES — Enrolled  at  Peru,  July  26,  1862.  Mus- 
tered out  with  Company. 

HOPKINS,  WILLIAM  W. — Enrolled  at  Greenwich,  August 
8,  1862.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

HANKS,  EUGENE  F. — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  August  n, 
1862.  Captured  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga.  Mustered 
out  at  Camp  Chase,  June  9,  1865. 

HOPKINS,  JAMES  H. — Enrolled  at  Ripley,  August  12,  1862. 
Died  at  Bowling  Green,  December  4,  1862,  of  disease. 

HOPKINS,  JOHN  N. — Enrolled  at  Ripley,  August  12,  1862. 
Died  at  Murfreesboro',  June  15,  1863,  of  disease. 

HAMILTON,  WILSON — Enrolled  at  Norwich,  August  4,  1862. 
Appointed  Corporal,  May  i,  1863.  Discharged  at  Camp 
Chase,  August  24,  1864,  on  account  of  wounds  received 
in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863. 


398  STORY    FO    THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

HUNT,  GEORGE — Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  August  9,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Nashville,  February  9,  1863,  on  account 
of  disability.  Deceased. 

HACKETT,  THADDEUS  W. —  Enrolled  at  Fairfield,  August 
9,  1862.  Discharged  at  Ooltewah,  March  25,  1864,  on 
account  of  disability. 

HUME,  EDWARD  M. — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  August  4,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Nashville,  February  Q,  1863,  on  account 
of  wounds  received  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  Decem- 
ber 31,  1862. 

JONES,  FLAVEL  B. — Enrolled  at  Ripley,  August  8,  1862. 
Killed  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863. 

JOHNSON,  JOHN  W. —  Enrolled  at  Ripley,  August  7,  1862. 
Mustered  out  at  Nashville,  May  17,  1865.  Deceased. 

JONES,  DUTTON — Enrolled  at  Fairfield,  August  8,  1862. 
Appointed  Sergeant,  August  9,  1862.  Discharged  at 
Louisville,  Ky.,  September  9,  1863,  on  account  of  dis- 
ability. 

KINGSBURY,  CORYDON — Enrolled  at  Fairfield,  August  9, 
1862.  Appointed  Corporal,  January  i,  1864.  Promoted 
to  Sergeant,  March  i,  1864.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

KEELER,  GEORGE  N. — Enrolled  at  Fairfield,  August  6, 
1862.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

KINSEY,  SIMEON  W. — Enrolled  at  Ripley,  August  9,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

LEAK,  WiLiviAM — Enrolled  at  Fairfield,  August  n,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

LAWRENCE,  GEORGE  A. — Enrolled  at  Bronson,  August  n, 
1862.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

LOWE,  WILLARD  W.  —  Enrolled  at  Fitchville,  August  9, 
1862.  Mustered  out,  May  16,  1865,  at  Elmira,  N.Y. 

LYON,  ERWIN  E. — Enrolled  at  Fitchville,  July  28,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Columbus,  December  13,  1863,  on  account 
of  disability. 

LAWRENCE,  GEORGE  —  Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  August  u, 
1862.  Transferred  to  Company  I,  i6th  Regiment,  Vet- 
eran Reserve  Corps,  April  29,  1864.  Mustered  out  at 
Harrisburg,  June  28,  1865. 


ROSTER.  399 

MATTOON,  GEORGE  E. — Enrolled  at  Greenwich,  August  9, 
1862.  Mustered  out,  June  12,  1865,  at  Louisville,  Ky. 

MAYNARD,  ALANSON  W. — Enrolled  at  Monroeville,  August 
30,  1862.  Captured  at  Resaca.  Imprisoned  at  Atlanta, 
Macon,  Andersonville,  Charleston  and  Florence.  Ex- 
changed. Mustered  out  with  Company. 

MERRITT,  WILLIAM  F. — Enrolled  at  Greenwich,  August  9, 
1862.  Died  at  Danville,  Ky.,  November  12,  1862,  of 
disease. 

MARSH,  CHARLES  E. — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  August  n, 
1862.  Mustered  as  Corporal.  Discharged  at  Nashville, 
December  28,  1862,  on  account  of  disability. 

MARSH,  ENOS  L. — Enrolled  at  Ripley,  August  7,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Corporal.  Discharged  at  Columbus,  May 
9,  1863,  on  account  of  wounds  received  in  the  Battle  of 
Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 

MEAD,  CHARLES H. — Enrolled  at  Bronson,  August  n,  1862. 
Appointed  Sergeant,  March  i,  1864.  Transferred  to 
First  United  States  Veteran  Volunteer  Engineers,  July 
27,  1864.  Promoted  to  Sergeant  Major,  July  9,  1865. 
Mustered  out,  September  26,  1865,  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 

MEAD,  GEORGE  N. — Enrolled  at  Fitchville,  August  7,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Corporal.  Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's 
River,  December  31,  1862.  Transferred  to  79th  Com- 
pany, 2nd  Battalion,  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  February 
15,  1864.  Mustered  out  as  Sergeant,  May  23,  1865,  at 
Lexington,  Ky.,  on  account  of  disability. 

MINOR,  LAWRENCE — Enrolled  at  Bronson,  August  n,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Corporal.  Discharged  at  Camp  Dennison, 
March  28,  1863,  on  account  of  disability. 

NEWTON,  HENRY  M. — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  July  29,  1862. 
Appointed  Corporal,  September  3,  1862.  Promoted  to 
Sergeant,  May  i,  1863.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

PALMER,  ALBERT — Enrolled  at  Fitchville,  August  5,  1862. 
Mustered  out  at  Cleveland,  June  21,  1865. 

PETERSON,  JOB — Enrolled  at  Ripley,  August  7,  1862.  Mus- 
tered out  with  Company. 


4OO  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

PICKENS,  CHARLES  —  Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  August  n, 
1862.  Died  near  Murfreesboro',  January  i,  1863,  of 
wounds  received  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  Decem- 
ber 31,  1862. 

PAYNE,  GEORGE  W.—  Enrolled  at  Ripley,  August  7,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Sergeant.  Discharged  at  Columbus,  March 
28,  1863,  on  account  of  disability. 

PENFIELD,  CHARLES  —  Enrolled  at  PMtchville,  August  9, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Louisville,  May  4,  1863,  on  account 
of  wounds  received  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River, 
December  31,  1862.  Deceased. 

PALMER,  DARWIN  G.  —  Enrolled  at  Fitch  ville,  August  5, 
1862.  Mustered  out  at  Chattanooga,  May  22,  1865. 

PERKINS,  JONAS  R.  —  Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  January  28, 
1864.  Transferred  to  Company  G,  8th  Regiment,  Vet- 
eran Reserve  Corps,  June  10,  1865.  Mustered  out, 
August  28,  1865,  at  Springfield,  111. 

ROSE,  CHARLES  B.  —  Enrolled  at  Fairfield,  August  7,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 
1862,  while  attempting  to  care  for  Colonel  Stem  after 
he  was  wounded.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

RICKEY,  JOHN  H.  —  Enrolled  at  Peru,  August  9,  1862. 
Died  at  Big  Shanty,  Ga.,  June  23,  1864,  of  wounds  re- 
ceived in  action  near  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  June  23, 
1864. 

ROWLAND,  WATSON  W.  —  Enrolled  at  Clarksfield,  August 
n,  1862.  Died  at  Nashville,  January  31,  1863,  of 
typhoid  pneumonia. 

RUSSELL,  ERASTUS  E.  —  Enrolled  at  Fitch  ville,  August  8, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Nashville,  February  14,  1863,  on 
account  of  disability.  Deceased. 


ROWLAND,  LEVI  O.  —  Enrolled  at  Clarksfield,  August  u, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Camp  Dennison,  February  15,  1864, 
on  account  of  wounds  received  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's 
River,  December  31,  1862. 

REED,  IRA  B.  —See  Company  E. 


ROSTER.  401 

SAUERS,  GEORGE  H. — Enrolled  at  Fairfield,  August  9,  1862. 
Wounded  arid  captured  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  De- 
cember 31,  1862.  Appointed  Corporal,  March  i,  1864. 
Promoted  to  Sergeant,  May  i,  1864.  Wounded  at  Rocky 
Face  Ridge,  Ga.,  May  n,  1864. 

SUTTON,  ORRIN  S- — Enrolled  at -Greenwich,  August  9,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

SCOTT,  CHARLES  —  Enrolled  at  Fitchville,  July  28,  1862. 
Killed,  May  19,  1864,  in  action  near  Kingston,  Ga. 

SNYDER,  WILLIAM  H. —  Enrolled  at  Bronson,  August  9, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Bowling  Green,  December  18,  1862, 
on  account  of  disability. 

SPRAGU;E,  JOHN  C. — Enrolled  at  Fitchville,  August  5,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Nashville,  February  14,  1863,  on  account 
of  disability.  Deceased. 

SLOCUM,  MANFRED  D. —  Enrolled  at  Fairfield,  August  6, 
1862.  Mustered  as  First  Sergeant.  Transferred  to 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  August  i,  1863. 

SMITH,  SAMUEL  L. — Enrolled  at  Norwich,  August  i,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Company  I,  5th  Regiment,  Veteran  Re- 
serve Corps,  January  10,  1865.  Mustered  out,  June  13, 
1865,  at  Indianapolis. 

SCOTT,  BYRON — Enrolled,  July  28,  1862.     Never  mustered. 

TOWNSEND,  HIRAM  W. — Enrolled  at  New  London,  July 
31,  1862.  Discharged  at  Columbus,  March  7,  1863,  on 
account  of  wounds  received  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's 
River,  December  31,  1862. 

TREMBLY,  WILLIAM  H. — Enrolled  at  Ripley,  August  8, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Nashville,  March  8,  1863,  on  ac- 
count of  disability. 

TRUXELL,  JACOB  W. — Enrolled  at  Ripley,  August  8,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Louisville,  December  12,  1863,  on  account 
of  disability. 

TRUXELL,  HOMER — Enrolled  at  Ripley,  August  9,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Nashville,  February  14,  1863,  on  account 
of  disabilitv. 


402  STORY    OF   THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

TERRY,  LUTHER  L- — Enrolled  at  Fairfield,  August  7,  1862. 
Transferred  to  i5ist  Company,  2nd  Battalion,  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps,  February  5,  1864.  Mustered  out,  June 
30,  1865,  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 

TERRY,  JAMES  E. — Enrolled  at  Fairfield,  August  n,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Company  I,  5th  Regiment,  Veteran  Re- 
serve Corps,  February  15,  1864.  Mustered  out,  July  5, 
1865,  at  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

WICKS,  W.  C.— Enrolled  at  Fairfield,  August  7,  1862.  Ap- 
pointed Corporal,  May  i,  1864.  Mustered  out  with 
Company. 

WHITE,  SAMUEL  C. — Enrolled  at  Ripley,  August  7,  1862. 
Killed  at  Chickamauga. 

WYCKOFF,  MERRIT — Enrolled  at  Ridgefield,  July  31,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Bowling  Green,  January  10,  1863,  on 
account  of  disability. 

WASHBURN,  WILLIAM  I. — Enrolled  at  Greenwich,  August 
8,  1862.  Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  Sep- 
tember 30,  1863. 

WOOD,  LEMUEL — Enrolled  at  Fitchville,  August  9,  1862. 
Transferred  to  87th  Company,  2nd  Battalion,  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps,  January  15,  1864.  Mustered  out  at  Cin- 
cinnati, June  26,  1865. 


COMPANY  E. 

CAPTAIN  W.  C.  PARSONS— Enrolled  and  mustered  as  Cap- 
tain at  Columbus,  July  24,  1862.  Taken  sick  on  the 
march.  Died  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  November  3,  1862. 

CAPTAIN  LYMAN  PARCHER — Enrolled  and  mustered  as  First 
Lieutenant,  July  24,  1862,  at  Columbus.  Promoted  to 
Captain,  November  15,  1862.  Resigned  at  Murfrees- 
boro',  Tenn.,  February  26,  1863,  on  account  of  wounds 
received  in  Battle  of  Pea  Ridge,  Mo.,  March  7,  1862. 
Afterwards  raised  a  Company  in  the  i79th  Ohio;  was 
commissioned  Captain,  and  served  to  the  end  of  the  war. 
Died  at  Marysville,  Mo.,  August  28,  1893. 


ROSTER.  403 

CAPTAIN  ROBERT  D.  LORD — Enrolled  and  mustered  as  Sec- 
ond Lieutenant  at  Crestline,  July  29,  1862.  Promoted 
to  First  Lieutenant,  November  15,  1862;  to  Captain, 
February  16,  1863.  Resigned  on  account  of  disability, 
August  12,  1863.  Died  at  Cleveland. 

CAPTAIN  IRA  B.  READ — Enrolled  at  Norwalk,  August  2, 
1862.  Mustered  as  Sergeant,  Company  D.  Promoted 
to  First  Lieutenant  of  same  Company,  March  13,  1863, 
to  date  January  28,  1863.  Promoted  to  Captain  and  as- 
signed to  Company  E,  March  19,  1864.  Wounded  at 
Chickamauga.  Served  as  Assistant  Inspector  General 
during  last  six  months  of  service.  Mustered  out  with 
Company. 

LIEUTENANT  CHARLES  McGRAw — Enrolled  at  Crestline, 
July  23,  1862.  Mustered  as  First  Sergeant.  Promoted  to 
Second  Lieutenant,  November  15,  1862  ;  to  First  Lieu- 
tenant, February  26,  1863.  Killed  at  Battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga, September  20,  1863. 

LIEUTENANT  JOHN  L.  MILLIMAN —  Enrolled  at  Berlin, 
August  4, 1862.  Mustered  as  First  Sergeant  of  Company 
G.  Promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant,  May  28,  1863  ;  pro- 
moted to  First  Lieutenant  and  assigned  to  Company  E, 
March  19,  1864.  Wounded  and  captured  at  Battle  of 
Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862.  In  Libby  Prison 
four  months.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

LIEUTENANT  SAMUEL  S.  BLOWERS — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus, 
August  9,  1862.  Mustered  as  Sergeant.  Promoted  to 
Second  Lieutenant,  February  26,  1863.  Resigned,  Jan- 
uary 9,  1864,  on  account  of  disability.  Several  months 
in  hospital  at  Nashville.  Died  at  his  home  near  Bucyrus, 
Ohio,  February  17,  1884. 


ALBRIGHT,  JACOB — Enrolled  at  Galion,  August  u,   1862. 
Died  at  Perry ville,  October  29,  1862,  of  typhoid  fever. 

BEAL,  CYRUS  H. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  9,  1862. 
Died  at  Lebanon,  Ky.,  February  6,  1863,  of  consumption. 

BERNARD,  AMER  W. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  2,  1862. 
Deceased. 


404  STORY    OF    THK    IOIST    OHIO. 

BERNARD,   PERRY  W. — Enrolled   at    Bucyrus,  August    2, 

1862.     Deceased. 
BABCOCK,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  6,  1862. 

Discharged,  October  31,  1862,  at  Columbus,  Ohio. 

BOOR,  JOSIAH  F. — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  7,   1862. 

Appointed  Corporal,   September  20,    1862.     Discharged 

at   Bowling  Green,   February    16,    1863,   on   account  of 

disability. 
BITRGET,  ANDREW  J. —  Enrolled  at   Crestline,   August   11, 

1862.     Discharged  at  Louisville,  November  24,  1862,  on 

account  of  disability.     Deceased. 

CROW,  JOHN  —  Enrolled  at  Crestline,  September  3,  1862. 
Appointed  Corporal,  January  i,  1865.  Mustered  out 
with  Company. 

CURRIE,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  5,  1862. 

Deceased. 
CIRTS,  ELIAS — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  4,  1862.     No 

record  after  October  14,  1862. 

COVILL,  LAFAYETTE — Enrolled  at  Gallon,  August  7,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Tyner's  Station,  February  2,  1864,  on  'ac- 
count of  disability. 

Cox,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  n,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Columbus,  February  26,  1865,  on  account 
of  wounds  received  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  23,  1864. 
Died  at  Soldiers'  Home,  Dayton,  May  15,  1887. 

COFFY,  ANDREW — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  14,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Louisville,  August  22,  1863,  on  account  of 
disability.  Killed  near  New  Washington,  O.,  by  the 
running  away  of  his  team. 

CASSELL,  DANIEL  O. — Enrolled  at  Gallon,  August  4,  1862. 
Captured  and  recaptured  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  De- 
cember 31,  1862.  Wounded  in  left  leg  and  left  arm  in 
Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863,  Mustered 
out  at  Plattsburg,  N,  Y.,  July  20,  1865. 

CARPENTER,  JEREMIAH  J. — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  4, 
1862.  Transferred  to  Pioneer  Corps  in  November,  1862. 
Mustered  out,  July  3,  1865,  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 


ROSTER.  405 

DEWAI/T,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  L/eesville,  August  6,  1862. 
Wounded  in  calf  of  leg,  knee  and  thigh  in  the  Battle  of 
Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863.  In  the  hospital  at 
Chattanooga  and  Stevenson,  Tenn,  two  months.  Ap- 
pointed Corporal,  January  i,  1864;  Sergeant,  January 
i,  1865.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

DARGITZ,  HARRISON — Enrolled  at  Galion,  August  6,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19, 
1863.  Appointed  Corporal,  January  i,  1865.  Mustered 
out  with  Company. . 

DYCHE,  VALENTINE — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  1 1, 1862. 
Mustered  as  Sergeant.  Discharged  at  Nashville,  Feb- 
ruary 22,  1863,  on  account  of  disability.  Died  at  Chicago, 
111.,  February  13,  1885. 

DAVIS,  WILLIAM  R. — Enrolled  at  Galion,  August  6,  1862. 
See  Non-Commissioned  Staff. 

DAY,  LEWIS  W. — Enrolled  at  Galion,  August  6,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Corporal.  Promoted  to  Sergeant,  January 
i,  1863.  Detailed  as  Topographical  Engineer,  and  as- 
signed to  Brigade  Headquarters.  Discharged  at  Nash- 
ville, December  17,  1863,  on  account  of  disability. 

DICE,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Galion,  August  7,  1862.  Wounded 
in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862.  Trans- 
ferred to  Company  H,  8th  Regiment,  Veteran  Reserve 
Corps,  July  i,  1863.  Mustered  out,  July  2,  1865,  at 
Chicago,  111. 

DOTY,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  4,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 
1862..  Transferred  to  Company  C,  5th  Regiment,  Vet- 
eran Reserve  Corps.  Mustered  out,  July  21,  1865,  at 
Indianapolis,  Ind. 

FARNSWORTH,  ISAAC — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  6,  1862. 
Killed  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 

FLOHR,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Sulphur  Springs,  August  6, 
1862.  Taken  prisoner  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga, 
September  19,  1863.  In  Andersonville  Prison  thirteen 
months,  where  he  dfed  in  October,  1864. 


406  STORY    OF    THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

Fox,  SOLOMON — Enrolled  at  Gallon,  August  19,  1862.  Dis- 
charged, June  8,  1863,  at  Murfreesboro' ,  on  account  of 
disability.  Died,  near  Crestline,  July  28,  1863. 

FISHER,  Louis — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  6,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Bowling  Green,  February  10,  1863,  on 
account  of  disability. 

FURLONG,  JAMES — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  9,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  August  10,  1863,  on  ac- 
count of  disability.  Died,  March  25,  1879,  at  Crest- 
line, O. 

GENTER,  JOHN  H. — Enrolled  at  Adrian,  O.,  August  20, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Nashville,  May  30,  1863,  on  ac- 
count of  disability.  Musician. 

GEIGER,  GEORGE  E. — Enrolled  at  Galion,  August  7,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  company. 

GOOD,  JACOB  Y.. — Enrolled  at  Monroeville,  August  21, 
1862.  Wounded  and  taken  prisoner  in  the  Battle  of 
Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863.  Exchanged.  Mus- 
tered out  with  Company. 

GIBLER,  ISAAC — Enrolled  at  Galion,  August  n,  1862. 
Transferred  to  7th  Regiment,  Veteran  Reserve  Corps, 
September  30,  1863.  Mustered  out,  June  29,  1865,  as 
Commissary  Sergeant,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 

HARVEY,  JAMES  H. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  9,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 
1862.  Appointed  Sergeant,  January  i,  1864.  Mustered 
out  with  Company. 

HEIS,  GEORGE — Enrolled  at  Leesville,  August  5,  1862. 
Wounded  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863. 
Mustered  out  with  Company.  Died  at  Leesville,  in 
October,  1871,  of  consumption. 

HILLFICKER,  DAVID — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  6, 
1862.  Wounded  and  captured  in  Battle  of  Chickamau- 
ga, September  20,  1863.  Died  in  hands  of  the  enemy. 

HALLIWELL,  JAMES — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  5,  1862. 
Wounded  in  foot  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  Decem- 
ber 31,  1862.  Appointed  Corporal,  March  i,  1864. 
Died  in  Nashville,  January  3,  18^65,  of  wounds  received 
in  Battle  of  Nashville,  December'i5,  1864. 


ROSTER.  407 

HANLEY,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  n,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Nashville,  August  i,  1863,  on  account  of 
wounds  received  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December 
31,  1862.  Died  at  Upper  Sandusky,  O. 

HUHN,  CHRISTIAN— Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  12,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Bridgeport,  Ala.,  January  12,  1864,  on 
account  of  disability.  Died  at  Louisville,  November  24, 
1882,  of  heart  disease. 

HOMER,  JAMES  R. — See  Non-Commissioned  Staff. 

HARRINGTON,  NATHANIEL — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August 
6,  1862.  Transferred  to  Company  H,  8th  Regiment, 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  July  2,  1863. 

HANDLIN,  DAVID — Enrolled  at  Galion,  August  6,  1862. 
Wounded  in  Battle  of  Nolensville,  December  26,  1862, 
and  at  Franklin,  March  12,  1863,  while  on  picket  duty. 
Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  September  30, 
1863. 

HAKE,  CORDON — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  7,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  November  13, 
1863. 

HOWENSTEIN,  JOHN  P.-- Enrolled  at  Galion,  December  28, 
1863.  Transferred  to  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry, 
June  10,  1865,  to  date  May  14,  1865. 

HILLGENDORFF,  CHARLES  C.  J. — Enrolled  at  Galion,  Feb- 
ruary 27,  1864.  Wounded  in  Battle  of  Kenesaw  Moun- 
tain, June  23,  1864.  Transferred  to  Company  A,  5ist 
Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  June  10,  1865. 

JACKSON,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  5,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Louisville,  November  24,  1862,  on  account 
of  disability.  Died,  February  18,  1885,  at  Crestline,  O. 

KIRKLAND,  ANDREW  J. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  7> 
1862.  WTounded  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December 
31,  1862.  Detached  as  Provost  Guard.  Mustered  out 
with  Company. 

KIRTZ,  CHRISTIAN — Enrolled  at  Galion,  August  7,  1862. 
Wounded  at  Buzzard  Roost,  May  u,  1864,  and  at  Nash- 
ville, December  15,  1864.  Transferred  to  Company  G, 
1 6th  Regiment,  Veteran  Reserve  Corps.  Mustered  out, 
July  14,  1865,  at  Cleveland,  O. 


408  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

KROHN,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Gallon,  August  7,  1862. 
Appointed  Corporal,  April  12,  1863.  Died  at  Chatta- 
nooga, November  23,  1863,  of  disease. 

LKYMAN,  HENRY  T. — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  5,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Corporal.  Promoted  to  Sergeant,  February 
26,  1863.  Wounded  at  Kenesaw,  June  23,  1864.  On 
detached  service  at  Corps  headquarters  for  a  time.  Re- 
joined the  Regiment  at  Ooltewah.  Mustered  out  with 
Company. 

LEWIS,  ENOS  B. — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  15,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Corporal,  January  i,  1863.  Captured  at 
Battle  of  Chick  amauga,  September  19,  1863.  Confined 
in  Libby  Prison.  Promoted  to  Sergeant,  January  i,  1864. 
Mustered  out  with  Company.  Died  at  Marion,  O.,  1890. 

LOWE,  LEWIS  S. — Enrolled  at  Galion,  August  5,  1862. 
Mortally  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  in  the  Battle  of 
Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862.  Paroled  on  account 
of  wounds.  Died  at  Nashville,  March  13,  1863. 

LANGADAFFER,  FRANK — Enrolled  at  Galion,  August  6, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Columbus,  O.,  April  20,  1863,  on 
account  of  wounds  received  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's 
River,  December  31,  1862,  where  he  was  taken  prisoner 
and  exchanged. 

LINDSEY,  SAMUEL — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  6,  1862. 
Transferred  to  34th  Company,  Veteran  Reserve  Corps, 
September  30,  1863.  Mustered  out  July  18,  1865,  at 
Mound  City,  111. 

LOEBENTHAL,  LEO — Enrolled  at  Galion,  December  24,  1863. 
Transferred  to  Company  D,  22d  Regiment,  Veteran  Re- 
serve Corps,  April  21,  .1865.  Mustered  out  at  Camp 
Chase,  O.,  July  19,  1865. 

McKEE,  GEO.  S. — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  14,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 
1862,  and  at  Resaca,  May  14,  1864.  Promoted  to  Cor- 
poral, January  i,  1865.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

McLAiN,  SAMUEL — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  6,  1862. 
Died  near  Lebanon,  October,  1862,  of  disease. 


ROSTER.  409 

McMiCHAEL,  JOHN  A. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  9, 
1862.  Detailed  as  teamster.  Discharged  at  Nashville, 
December  26,  1862,  on  account  of  disability.  Injured 
in  a  smash  up. 

NICHOLS,  W.  H.  W. — Enrolled  at  Galion,  August  6,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Corporal.  Accidentally  wounded  at  Edge- 
field  Junction,  November  10,  1862.  Transferred,  De- 
cember 24,  1862,  to  the  2oth  Company,  2nd  Battalion, 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  and  promoted  to  Sergeant  Ma- 
jor, on  duty  at  Madison  Barracks,  Ind.  Mustered  out, 
January  6,  1865. 

OSTENBERGER,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Galion,  August  8,  1862. 
Wounded  and  taken  prisoner  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River, 
December  31,  1862.  Wounded  at  Rocky  Face,  Ga., 
May  n,  1864.  In  hospital  at  Cleveland.  Mustered  out 
at  Cleveland,  May  30,  1865. 

PARCHER,  HENRY  C. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  July  26,  1862. 
Mustered  out,  June  8,  1865,  at  Camp  Dennison,  O.  De- 
ceased. 

PAYNE,  MILES  C. — Enrolled  at  Galion,  August  7,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

POTH,  PHILIP — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  7,  1862. 
Detailed  first  as  teamster;  then  as  orderly  at  Division 
Headquarters.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

POTH,  GEORGE — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  7,  1862. 
Detailed  as  teamster.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

POTH,  ADAM — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  7,  1862.  Dis- 
charged at  Camp  Dennison,  September  22,  1863,  on  ac- 
count of  disability. 

PECK,  QUINBY — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  6,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Mississippi  Marine  Brigade. 

RITTER,  JEREMIAH  C. — Enrolled  at  Galion,  August  2,  1862. 
Wounded  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  23,  1864.  Mus- 
tered out  with  Company. 

RESH,  AUGUSTUS— Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  8,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Company  C. 


4IO  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO- 

RECK,  JACOB  —  Enrolled  at  Gallon,  August  n,  1862. 
Wounded  at  Rocky  Face,  Ga.,  May  u,  1864.  Mustered 
out  with  Company. 

RUTH,  HENRY  F. — Enrolled  at  Gallon,  August  n,  1862. 
Left  in  charge  of  knapsacks  at  the  Battle  of  Stone's 
River,  December  31,  1862,  but  could  not  hold  them 
q  gainst  the  entire  rebel  Left.  Discharged  at  Nashville, 
March  29,  1863,  on  account  of  disability. 

REYNOLDS,  WM.  H. — Enrolled  at  Gallon,  August  4,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Columbus,  April  18,  1863,  on  account  of 
•  wounds  received  at  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  Decem- 
ber 31,1 862,  where  he  was  taken  prisoner  and  exchanged. 

STOVER,  JAMES  H.  —  Enrolled  at  Gallon,  July  18,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Sergeant.  Appointed  First  Sergeant,  Nov- 
ember 15,  1862.  Taken  prisoner  at  Battle  of  Stone's 
River,  December  31,  1862.  Confined  in  Libby  and  Castle 
Thunder  Prisons.  Paroled  in  March,  1863.  Exchanged 
in  July,  1863.  Mustered  out,  June  19,  1865,  at  Columbus. 

SNIDER,  HENRY  L. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  9,  1862. 
Appointed  Corporal,  January  i,  1865.  Mustered  out 
with  Company. 

SHERER,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Gallon,  August  n,  1862. 
Wounded  at  Huntsville.  Promoted  to  Corporal,  March 
i,  1865.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

SNYDER,  PETER — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  10,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Sergeant.  Wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at 
the  Battle  of  Stone's  River.  December  31,  1862.  Died 
in  hands  of  the  enemy,  January  2,  1863.  Snyder  Post, 
G.  A.  R.,  of  Crestline  is  named  in  memory  of  our  comrade. 

SHERER,  ADAM  —  Enrolled  at  Gallon,  August  n,  1862. 
Killed  at  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 
Comrade  Sherer  was  among  the  first  to  respond  to  Col. 
Stem's  call  for  volunteers  to  silence  the  murderous  fire 
of  the  enemy's  sharpshooters  on  the  morning  of  the 
battle. 

SM ALLEY,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  2,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Corporal.  Promoted  to  Sergeant,  November 
i,  1862.  Died  at  Murfreesboro',  January  27,  1863,  of 
disease. 


ROSTER.  411 

SCHNURR,   ANDREW   J. — Enrolled   at   Gallon,    August   n, 

1862.  Appointed  Corporal,  September  20,  1862.     Died 
at  Murfreesboro' ,  May  3,  1863,  of  fever. 

SMITH,  HENRY  W. — Enrolled  at  Galion,  August  7,   1862. 

Wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  the  Battle  of  Stone's 

River,   December  31,    1862.     Starved  in  Libby  Prison. 

Died  December  i,  1863,  while  at  home  on  furlough. 
SHERER,  MICHAEL — Enrolled  at  Galion,  August  n,  1862. 

Died  November  17,  1862,  at  Edgefield  Junction  of  disease. 

SHERER,    HENRY — Enrolled  at  Galion,  August   n,   1862. 
.  Died  at  Bridgeport,  Ala.,  December  7,  1863,  of  disease. 

STEVENS,  DAVID  W. —  Enrolled  at  Galion,   December  24, 

1863.  Wounded  near  Atlanta. 

SWONGER,  AMER  L. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  9,  1862. 
Detailed  as  teamster.  Discharged  at  Murfreesboro', 
March  3,  1863,  on  account  of  disability  from  wounds 
received  in  an  accident  to  his  wagon. 

STERNER,  FRANCIS — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  9,  1862- 
Discharged  at  Louisville,  November  8,  1862,  on  account 
of  disability . 

SLORP,  JOSHUA  —  Enrolled  at  Galion,  August  5,  1862. 
Wounded  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863. 
Discharged  at  Columbus,  January  27,  1865,  on  account 
of  disability. 

SMITH,  SAMUEL — Enrolled  at  Galion,  August  5,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Louisville,  January  7,  1863,  on  account  of 
disability. 

STAHLE,  WALLACE — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  7,  1862. 
Wounded  and  taken  prisoner  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River, 
December  31,  1862.  In  Libby  Prison  two  months.  Ex- 
changed. Discharged  at  Columbus,  April  14,  1863,  on 
account  of  wounds. 

SMITH,  JOHN  G. — Enrolled  at  Galion,  August  6,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Nashville,  January  27,  1863,  on  account 
of  disability. 

SPRAW,  JACOB — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  Aug.  7,  1862.  Trans- 
ferred to  Company  K,  ist  Regiment,  Veteran  Reserve 
Corps.  Mustered  out,  June  30,  1865,  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 


412  STORY    OF    THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

SNYDER,  VALENTINE — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  9, 
1862.  Transferred  to  Mississippi  Marine  Brigade. 

TAYLOR,  NATHANIEL — Enrolled  at  Leesville,  August'  6, 
1862.  Mustered  out  with  Company.  Deceased. 

TAYLOR,  WILLIAM  M. — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  5, 
1862.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

WILLIAMS,  ISAAC  M. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  9,  1862. 
Captured  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River.  In  Libby  Prison 
four  months.  Exchanged.  Mustered  out  with  Com- 
pany. Died  at  Soldiers'  Home  in  Dayton,  July  20,  1878, 
from  injuries  received  while  marching  to  Richmond. 

WARDEN,  WILLIAM  P. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  6, 
1862.  Mustered  as  Corporal.  Wounded  in  Battle  of 
Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862.  Transferred  to 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  November  13,  1863.  Mustered 
out  July  2,  1865,  at  Chicago,  111.  Deceased. 

WEST,  HENRY  J.  F. — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August  6,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Mississippi  Marine  Brigade. 

ZINK,  SAMUEL,  JR. — Enrolled  at  Crestline,  August  10,  1862. 
On  detached  service  at  Columbus  after  March  n,  1864. 
Mustered  out  at  Columbus,  June  15,  1865. 


COMPANY  F. 

CAPTAIN  I.   M.  KIRBY— See  Field  and  Staff. 

CAPTAIN  WILLIAM  H.  KILMER — Enrolled  August  9,  1862. 
Promoted  to  First  L/ieutenant,  October  14,  1862  ;  to 
Captain.  January  28,  1863.  Wounded  in  Battle  of 
Stone's  River.  Killed  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga  ; 
shot  through  the  shoulder  while  gallantly  leading  a 
charge  upon  the  enemy's  lines. 

CAPTAIN  GEORGE  W.  HALE — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky, 
August  9,  1862.  Promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant  from 
First  Sergeant,  December  23,  1862  ;  to  First  Lieutenant, 
February  17,  1863.  Wounded  in  both  legs  and  captured, 
September  19,  1863,  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga.  A 


ROSTER.  413 

prisoner  for  eighteen  months.  Promoted  to  Captain, 
November  3,  1864.  Mustered  out  with  Company.  (See 
Prison  Experience.) 

LIEUTENANT  FRANKLIN  POPE  —  Enrolled  at  Columbus, 
August  10,  1862.  Mustered  as  First  Lieutenant.  Pro- 
moted to  Captain,  October  14,  1862,  but  not  mustered. 
Resigned  at  Nashville,  Tenri.,  January  28,  1863. 

LIEUTENANT  JACOB  NEWHARD  —  Enrolled  at  Columbus, 
August  4,  1862.  Mustered  as  Second  Lieutenant.  Pro- 
moted to  First  Lieutenant,  October  14,  1862,  but  not 
mustered.  Resigned  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  December  22, 
1862. 


ANDERSON,  JOSEPH — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August 
9,  1862,  Mustered  as  Corporal.  Killed  at  Rocky  Face, 
May  n,  1864. 

ALLISON,  DAVID — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 
1862.  Mustered  as  Corporal.  Promoted  to  Sergeant 
February  17,  1863.  Taken  prisoner  in  Battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga,  September  19,  1863.  Promoted  to  First  Lieu- 
tenant, February  21,  1865,  but  not  mustered.  Mustered 
out  at  Cincinnati,  June  20,  1865,  close  of  war.  Died  at 
Columbus,  O.,  in  1870. 

BIXBY,  HERBERT  —  Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  5,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  the  Company. 

BRIGGS,  JAMES  M. — Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  6,  1862. 
Taken  prisoner  November  29,  1864,  at  Spring  Hill,  Tenn. 
Mustered  out  at  Camp  Chase,  O.,  June  16,  1865. 

BOLANDER,  OLIVER — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August 
9,  1862.  Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  January  15,  1863,  of 
wounds  received  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December 
31,  1862. 

BARKER,  JAMES  E. — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August 
9,  1862.  Discharged  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  May  29,  1865, 
on  account  of  disability. 

BROWN,  SOVEREIGN  H. — Enrolled  at  Carey,  Augusts,  1862. 
Killed  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863. 


414  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

CORNING,  JAS.  H. — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August 
9,  1862.  Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  Sep- 
tember 19,  1863,  and  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge,.  Ga.,  May  n, 
1864.  On  detached  duty  at  Brigade  Headquarters  after 
April  13,  1865.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

CULVER,  FRANK — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 
1862.  Wounded  in  the  leg  and  captured  at  the  Battle  of 
Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863.  Mustered  out  with 
Company. 

CARNEY,  DAVID  E. — Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  5,  1862. 
No  record  after  December  17,  1862. 

CARNEY,  WILLIAM  J. — Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  5,  1862. 
No  record  after  December  17,  1862. 

CAROTHERS,  WILLIAM  H.T— Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  8, 
1862.  Discharged,  December  13,  1862,  at  Bowling 
Green,  Ky.,  on  account  of  disability. 

CARMICHAEL,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  Au- 
gust 9,  1862.  Discharged  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Jan- 
uary 13,  1863,  on  account  of  disability. 

CLARK,  THOMAS  A. — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August 
9,  1862.  Discharged  at  Bridgeport,  Ala.,  January  8, 
1864,  on  account  of  disability. 

CUTLER,  CALVIN  P. — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August 
9,  1862.  Discharged  at  Bridgeport,  Ala.,  Januar}^  23, 
1864,  on  account  of  disability. 

DEWiTT,  ALFRED  J. — Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  6,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Corporal.  Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  March 

8,  1863,  of  wounds   received  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's 
River,  December  31,  1862.     He  was  a  great  favorite. 

DIXON,  HENRY  H. — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August 

9,  1862.     Seriously  injured  at  Rolling  Fork,  Ky.     Dis- 
charged at  Bowling  Green,   Ky.,  February   7,  1863,  on 
account  of  disability. 

FOYER,  WALTER — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 

1862.     Mustered  out  with  Company. 
FLICKINGER,  JACOB   H.  —  Enrolled   at   Upper  Sandusky, 

August  14,  1862. 


ROSTER.  415 

GESTENSLAGER,  JOHN  P.  —  Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky, 
August  9,  1862.  Wounded  in  the  arm  and  taken  prisoner 
at  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga.  Imprisoned  at  Richmond, 
Danville  and  Anderson ville.  Appointed  Corporal,  May 
i,  1865.  Mustered  out  with  Company.  (See  Prison  Ex- 
perience.) 

GOOD,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 
1862.  Wounded  at  Jonesboro,  September  i,  1864.  Mus- 
tered out  with  Company. 

GOOD,  DAVID — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 
1862.  Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  Septem- 
ber 20,  1863,  and  in  Battle  of  Resaca,  May  14,  1864. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

GOOD,  DANIEL — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 
1862.  Discharged,  January  7,  1863,  at  Nashville,  Tenn., 
on  account  of  disability.  Died  at  Nevada,  O.,  November 
29,  1892. 

GLASSER,  CHRISTIAN  H. —  Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky, 
August  9,  1862.  Killed  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga, 
September  19,  1863. 

GOULD,  THEOPHILUS  D. — Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  5, 
1862.  Killed  in  Battleof  Rocky  Face,  Ga.,  May  n,  1864. 

GROSSELL,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  14.  1862. 
Mustered  as  Sergeant.  No  record  after  October  28,  1862. 

GOLDSBY,  GEORGE — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August 
9,  1862.  No  record  after  September  27,  1862. 

H^RNDEN,  JAMES  W. — Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  9,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Corporal.  Promoted  to  Sergeant,  February 
17,  1863.  Was  wounded  and  captured  in  Battle  of 
Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862,  but  made  his  escape. 
Wounded  and  taken  prisoner  in  the  Battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga, September  19,  1863.  Promoted  to  First  Sergeant, 
May  22,  1865.  Mustered  out  with  the  Company. 

HOLLENSHEAD,  THOMAS — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky, 
August  9,  1862.  Wounded  and  captured  at  Battle  of 
Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862.  Died  in  the  hands 
of  the  enemy. 


416  STORY    OF    THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

HILL,  FIRMAN  G. — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 
1862.  Mustered  as  Corporal.  Promoted  to  Sergeant, 
February  17,  1863.  Captured  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga, 
September  19,  1862.  Died  March  28,  1865,  at  Wharton, 
O.,  of  typhoid  fever. 

HALE,  DAVID  E. — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 

1862.  Mustered  as  Sergeant.     Discharged  January  27, 

1863,  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  on  account  of  disability. 

HALLIWELL,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  Au- 
gust 9,  1862.  Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River, 
December  31,  1862,  while  carrying  a  wounded  comrade 
from  the  field.  Appointed  Corporal,  February  17,  1863. 
Mustered  out  May  18,  1865,  at  Nashville. 

HELLER,  PHILIP — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Quincy,  111.,  May  u,  1863,  on  ac- 
count of  disability. 

HUTTON,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 
1862.  Wounded  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December 
31,  1862.  Discharged  June  20,  1863,  at  Camp  Chase, 
O.,  on  account  of  disability. 

HARSH,  JOSEPH — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 
1862.  Color  Guard  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  Decem- 
ber 31,  1862.  Transferred  to  ist  United  States  Veteran 
Volunteer  Engineers,  July  7,  1864.  Mustered  out  June 
30,  1865.  Deceased. 

HARRIS,  CHARLES  J. — Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  5.  1862, 
Appointed  Corporal,  May  22,  1865.  Mustered  out  with 
Company.  Died  at  Carey,  O. 

KRIDER,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 
1862.  Mustered  out  with  the  Company. 

KERR,  JOHN  A. — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 
1862.  Mustered  as  Corporal.  Promoted  to  Sergeant, 
November  i,  1862.  Killed  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River, 
December  31,  1862. 

LiCKFELT,  AUGUST — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August 
9,  1862.  Promoted  to  Corporal,  May  i,  1865.  Mustered 
out  with  the 'Company. 


ROSTER.  417 

LINK,  SHIPLEY  H. — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August 
9,  1862.  Wounded  iu  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  Sep- 
tember 19,  1863,  and  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  May  n,  1864. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

LOWELL,  MARCUS  L- — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  Au- 
gust 13,  1862.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

LUDWIG,  FREDERICK — Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  5,  1862. 
Taken  prisoner  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September 
20,  1863.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

LAUGHLIN,  JOHN  M. — Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  9,  1862. 
Detailed  as  Teamster.  Mustered  out  with  the  Company. 

LAWRENCE,  GEORGE — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August 
9,  1862.  Killed  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  Tenn.,  Sep- 
tember 19,  1863. 

LAWRENCE,  WASHINGTON — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky, 
August  9,  1863.  Died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Decem- 
ber 1 6,  1862,  of  disease. 

LACY,  HARMON  H. — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 
1862.  Mustered  as  Sergeant.  Died  at  Camp  Dennison, 
O.,  January  2,  1863,  of  disease. 

LILES,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 
1862.  Died  at  Danville,  Ky.,  December  2,  1862,  of  dis- 
ease. 

LOUDERMILCH,  JOSEPH — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  Au- 
gust 9,  1862.  Discharged,  January  8,  1864,  at  Bridge- 
port, Ala.,  on  account  of  disability. 

MARTIN,  CLAUDIUS — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August 
9,1862.  Mustered  as  Corporal.  Promoted  to  Sergeant, 
February  7,  1863.  Taken  prisoner  in  Battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga, September  20,  1863.  Paroled.  Exchanged. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

MYERS,  GEORGE  S. — Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  7,  1862. 
Appointed  Corporal,  July  7.  1864.  Wounded  in  the 
arm  while  carrying  the  Colors  at  Chickamauga.  Re- 
ceived medal  of  honor  for  service  at  Chickamauga.  Pro- 
moted to  Sergeant,  May  i,  1865.  Mustered  out  with 
Company. 

27 


418  STORY    OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

MANN,  GEORGE — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 
1862.  Mustered  as  Corporal.  Promoted  to  Sergeant, 
March  9,  1863.  Wounded  and  taken  prisoner  in  the 
Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863.  Imprisoned 
at  Andersonville,  Libby,  Belle  Isle,  Danville  and  Golds- 
boro'.  Mustered  out  at  Columbus,  June  12,  1865.  (See 
extract  from  Prison  Life.) 

McELWAiN,  ANDREW — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August 
9,  1862.  Appointed  Corporal,  February  17,  1863.  Shell 
wound  in  the  right  shoulder  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga, 
September  19,  1863.  Mustered  out  June  15,  1865,  at 
Columbus,  O-  Died,  April  6,  1891,  at  Lafayette. 

MYERS,  SKILES  R. — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August 
9,  1862.  Mustered  out  with  the  Company. 

MARTIN,  SAMUEL — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 
1862.  Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  January  17,  1863,  of 
wounds  received  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  Decem- 
ber 31,  1862.  Color  Guard. 

MILLER,  CHARLES — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  March  i, 
1865.  Transferred  to  Company  A,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry,  June  10,  1865. 

MILLER,  DAVID — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 
1862.  Killed  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December 
31,1862. 

NORTON,  JOHN  W. — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August 
9,  1862.  Transferred  to  43rd  Company,  2nd  Battalion, 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps.  Mustered  out  June  28,  1865, 
at  Camp  Dennison,  O. 

NYE,  EDWIN  —  Enrolled  at  Carey,   August  5,    1862. 

NICHOLS,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August 
9,  1862.  Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  Sep- 
tember 19,  1863.  Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps, 
January  5,  1864. 

PARKS,  R.  H. — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 
1862.  Wounded  and  captured  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's 
River,  December  31,  1862.  Exchanged.  Appointed 
Corporal,  February  17,  1863.  Detached  as  Blacksmith, 
May  24,  1863.  Promoted  to  Sergeant,  May  22,  1865. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 


ROSTER.  419 

PRICE,  LEVI — Enrolled  at  Richland,  August  7,  1862.  Shot 
through  the  lung  and  taken  prisoner  in  the  Battle  of 
Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863.  Appointed  Cor- 
poral, May  i,  1865.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

QUAINTANCE,  GEORGE — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  Au- 
gust 14,  1862.  Died  at  Nashville,  January  8,  1863,  of 
fever. 

REAM,  BENJAMIN — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August 
9,  1862.  Appointed  Corporal,  September  12,  1864. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

REEVES,  JAMES — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 
1862.  Transferred  to  Company  E,  34th  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry,  September  i,  1862. 

REX,  JOHN  D. — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,    August  9, 

1862.  Transferred    to    Company    H,     i5th    Regiment, 
Veteran    Reserve  Corps,  July   i,   1863.     Mustered    out 
July  15,  1 865,  at  Cairo,  111. 

STEWART,  JAMES  A. — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  Au- 
gust 9,  1862.  Appointed  Corporal,  February  17,  1863. 
Wounded  in  the  right  shoulder  in  the  Battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga, September  20,  1863.  Detailed  as  Clerk  at  Gen- 
eral Thomas'  Headquarters  at  the  time  of  the  Battle  of 
Franklin  on  account  of  the  wound.  Mustered  out  June 
26,  1865,  at  Cleveland,  O. 

SHADE,  AMOS  K. — Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  5,  1862. 
Wounded  and  captured  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  Sept. 
19,  1863.  Nurse  in  Hospital  at  Chattanooga,  Octobers, 

1863.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

SIBERTS,  CORNELIUS  J. — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  Au- 
gust 9,  1862.  Wounded  at  Resaca,  May  15,  1864.  Mus- 
tered out  with  Company. 

SHEPARD,  RUSSELL — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August 
9,  1862.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

SPAFFORD,  ADELBERT  A. — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky, 
Augu.st  9,  1862.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

SHIVELY,  AARON  C. — Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  5,  1862. 
Killed  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 


420  STORY    OF    THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

SCOTT,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 
1862.  Killed  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December 
31,  1862. 

STEVENS,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August 
9,  1862.  Died  at  Murfreesboro',  February  7,  1863,  of 
disease. 

STERLING,  FRANCIS  M. — Enrolled  at  Care}7,  August  7, 
1862.  Died  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy  at  Richmond, 
Va.,  February  20,  1863,  of  wounds  received  in  the  Battle 
of  Stone's  River,  where  he  was  captured. 

SPAFFORD,  GEORGE  F. — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  Au- 
gust 9,  1862.  Died  at  New  Albany,  Ind.,  October  28,  1862. 

SiPES,  PETER — Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  7,  1862.  Died 
near  Atlanta,  August  29,  1864,  of  disease. 

SHAW,  EDWARD  W. — Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  6,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Louisville,  January  26,  1863,  on  account 
of  disability. 

SHOEMAKER,  LEVI — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August 
6,  1862.  Discharged  at  Murfreesboro',  January  15,  1-863, 
on  account  of  disability. 

SMITH,  JACOB  W. — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August 
9,  1862.  Discharged  at  Cincinnati,  February  9,  1865, 
on  account  of  disability.  Detailed  as  Musician. 

SWEARINGER,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky, 
August  9,  1862.  Detailed  as  Musician.  Discharged, 
May  u,  1865,  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  on  account  of  dis- 
ability. Died  at  Forest,  O.,  September  10,  1880,  of  heart 
disease,  following  rheumatism  and  effects  of  gunshot 
wound  in  the  face,  received  at  La  Vergne,  Tenn.,  Sep- 
tember i,  1864. 

SHEPHERD,  JOHN  E. — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August 
9,  1802.  Appointed  Corporal,  March  9,  1863.  Trans- 
ferred to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  March  15,  1864.  Mus- 
tered out,  June  28,  1865,  at  Camp  Dennison,  O. 

STUMP,  MICHAEL — Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  7,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  foot  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  23, 
1864.  Transferred  to  ,  Company  C,  8th  Regiment,  Vet- 
eran Reserve  Corps.  Mustered  out,  July  12,  1865,  at 
Chicago.  Died,  March  7,  1890,  at  Whartonburg,  O. 


ROSTER.  42 1 

SHAFFSTALL,  JOSIAH — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  Au- 
gust 9,  1862.  Wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  Battle  of 
Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863.  Transferred  to  Vet- 
eran Reserve  Corps,  March  1 1 ,  1 864. 

SWARTZ,  LEVI — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 
1862.  Transferred  to  Company  G,  i5th  Regiment,  Vet- 
eran Reserve  Corps.  Mustered  out  July  8,  1865,  at 
Springfield,  111. 

STRYCHER,  AMOS — Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  7,  1862. 
Wounded  and  taken  prisoner  in  the  Battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga, September  19,  1863.  Transferred  to  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps,  November  19,  1864. 

STIRM,  NOAH — Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  7,  1862.  Trans- 
ferred to  8th  Regiment,  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  Novem- 
ber 15,  1863.  Mustered  out  June  30,  1865,  at  Chicago. 

SHELL,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  6,  1862. 
Transferred  to  8th  Regiment,  Veteran  Reserve  Corps, 
November  15,  1863.  Mustered  out  July  5,  1865,  at  De- 
troit, Mich.  Deceased. 

TURNER,  ALBERT  H. — Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  5,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company.  Deceased. 

TAYLOR,  GARRETT — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August 
9,  1862.  Killed  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  Decem- 
ber 31,  1862. 

TROUP,  SAMUEL — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 
1862.  Transferred  to  ist  United  States  Veteran  Volun- 
teer Engineer  Corps,  July  20,  1864.  Mustered  out 
June  30,  1865. 

VRENDENBURG,  C.  J. — Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  5,  1862. 
Captured  November  29,  1864,  at  Spring  Hill,  Term. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

VROMAN,  HENRY  D.— Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August 
9,  1862,  Died  at  Nashville,  January  18,  1863,  of  fever. 

WELTER,  WILLIAM  H. — Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  7,  1862. 
Appointed  Corporal,  May  i,  1865.  Mustered  out  with 
Company.  Deceased. 


422  STORY    OF    THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

WAGNER,  SAMUEL  S. — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  Au- 
gust 9,  1863.  Taken  prisoner  at  Chickamauga,  Septem- 
Confined  at  Belle  Island,  Danville,  Anderson ville  and 
Florence.  Mustered  out  with  Company.  Killed  in  ac- 
cident, November  1887,  in  Kansas. 

WELLS,  JOHN  A. — Enrolled  at  Carey,  August  5,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company, 

WHITE,  ELIJAH — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 
1862.  Appointed  Corporal,  March  9,  1863.  Killed  in 
the  Battle  of  Chattahoochee  River,  July  7,  1864. 

WISE,  AUGUST — Enrolled  at  Upper  Sandusky,  August  9, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Huntsville,  Ala.,  February  15,  1865, 
on  account  of  disability. 


COMPANY  G. 

CAPTAIN  JOHN  MESSER — See  Field  and  Staff. 

CAPTAIN  JOHN  P.  FLEMING— Enrolled  August  i,  1862. 
Mustered  as  First  Lieutenant,  August  30,  1862. 
Wounded  through  the  arm  and  taken  prisoner  in  Battle 
of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862.  Promoted  to  Cap- 
tain, January  3,  1863.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

LIEUTENANT  HORACE  D.  OLDS — Enrolled  August  7,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Second  Lieutenant,  August  9,  1862.  Pro- 
moted to  First  Lieutenant,  January  3,  1863,  and  trans- 
ferred to  Pioneer  Brigade.  Discharged,  December  25, 
1864,  to  accept  commission  in  Company  B.,  ist  Regi- 
ment, United  States  Veteran  Volunteer  Engineers. 
Mustered  out,  September  28,  1865. 

LIEUTENANT  JOSEPH  F.  WEBSTER — Enrolled  at  Berlin, 
January  31,  1862.  Mustered  as  Corporal.  Promoted  to 
First  Sergeant,  May  28,  1863.  Detached  on  recruiting 
service,  December  4,  1863.  Promoted  to  First  Lieuten- 
ant, July  30,  1864.  Mustered  out  with  Company.  Died 
in  April,  1887. 

LIEUTENANT  JOHN  L.   MILLIMAN — See  Company  E. 


ROSTKR.  423 

ANDREWS,  FRANKLIN — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  6,  1862, 
as  private.  Promoted  to  Corporal,  March  i,  1865. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

ANDREWS,  EMERSON — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  9,  1862. 
Wounded  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 
Detached  a's  teamster,  at  Division  Headquarters,  Decem- 
ber 9,  1863.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

ABBOTT,  SQUIRE — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  7,  1862. 
Wounded  and  captured  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  Decem- 
ber 31,  1862.  Mustered  out  at  Columbus,  O.,  June  9, 
1865. 

AMES,  WILLIAM  H. — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  February  2,  1865. 
Mustered  out  at  Trenton,  N.J.,  June  14,  1865. 

BUTLER,  SQUIRE  A. — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  4,  1362. 
Appointed  Corporal.  Captured  in  Battle  of  Stone's 
River,  December  21,  1862.  Exchanged.  Wounded  in  the 
Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863.  Promoted 
to  Sergeant,  November  i,  1863.  Mustered  out  with 
Company. 

BLAIR,  ALBERT  A. — Enrolled  at  Florence,  August  7,  1862. 
Detailed  in  Ambulance  Corps,  May  7,  1864.  Mustered 
out  with  Company. 

BEARDSLEY,  WALTER  C. — Enrolled  at  Florence,  August  9, 
1862.  Captured  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September 
19,  1863.  Mustered  out  at  Cleveland,  O.,  May  30,  1865. 

BUTLER,  OLIVER  H. — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  n,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

BENSCHOTTEN,  OLIVER  W. — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  7, 
1862.  Died  at  Nashville,  December  28,  1862,  of  disease. 

BALDWIN,  ISAAC — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  4,  1862.  Died 
at  Chattanooga,  June  12,  1863,  of  disease. 

BRADLEY,  ANDREW — Enrolled  at  Monroeville,  August  30, 

1862.     Captured  at  Chickamauga,   September  19,  1863. 

Died  in  Andersonville   Prison,   September  24,    1864,  of 

disease. 
BUDD,  JAMES  H. — Enrolled  at  Groton,  January  2,    1864. 

Discharged  at  Camp  Dennison,  May  25,  1865. 


424  STORY    OF    THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

BARBER,  DAVID  S. — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  7,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Murfreesboro',  February  21,  1863,  on  ac- 
count of  disability. 

BURNHAM,  HP:NRY  E. — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  7,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  February  25,  1863,  on  ac- 
count of  disability. 

BURKHOLDER,  JAMES  C. — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  8, 

1862.  Transferred  to  Company  H,  7th  Regiment,  Vet- 
eran Reserve  Corps,  May  27,  1864.     Mustered  out,  June 
29,  1865.     Died  at  Wamego,  Kan  ,  January  i,  1888. 

CRANNELL,  MARCUS — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  6,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  December 
15,  1864.  Mustered  out  at  Louisville,  June  12,  1865. 

CESSEN,  ISAAC  C.  —  Enrolled  at  Berlin,  July  31,  1862. 
Appointed  Corporal.  Promoted  to  Sergeant,  May  4, 

1863.  Killed  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September 
19,  1863. 

COOK,  JONATHAN  —  Enrolled  at  Berlin,  July  31,  1862. 
Transferred  to  ist  United  States  Veteran  Volunteer  Eng- 
gineer  Corps,  November  20,  1864.  Mustered  out  at  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  September  26,  1865. 

CURTIS,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  December  28,  1863. 
Transferred  to  Company  A,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, June  10,  1865. 

CRAVATH,  E.   M. — See  Field  and  Staff. 

DRAKE,  HEZEKIAH  S. — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  7,  1862. 
Appointed  Corporal,  March  i,  1865.  Wounded  and  cap- 
tured in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

DWIGHT,  HENRY  E. — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  6,  1862. 
Captured  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

DENMAN,  AMBROSE  B.  C. — Enrolled  at  Florence,  August  7, 
1862.  Appointed  Sergeant.  Captured  in  Battle  of 
Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863.  Mustered  out  at 
Cleveland,  June  19,  1865. 


ROSTER.  425 

DUNHAM,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  6,  1862. 
Killed  in  front  of  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  June,  25, 
1864. 

DALZELL,  FLORON — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  7,  1862. 
Died  at  Nashville,  January  28,  1863,  of  disease. 

DANIELS,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  July  31,  1862.  Died 
at  Nashville,  February  19,  1863,  of  disease. 

DUNNING,  JOHN  J. — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  i,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  July  16,  1863,  on  account 
of  disability. 

DEYGO,  ALLEN  H. — Enrolled  at  Monroeville,  September  3, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Bridgeport,  Ala.,  January  8,  1864, 
on  account  of  disability. 

DWIGHT,  OSCAR  —  Enrolled  at  Groton,  January  5,  1864. 
Transferred  to  Company  A,  5ist  Ohio  Veteran  Infantry, 
June  10,  1865. 

FOWLER,  GEORGE  L. — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  n,  1862. 
Appointed  Corporal,  September  15,  1862;  to  Sergeant, 
July  i,  1864.  Mustered  out  with  Company.  Deceased. 

FISHER,  HENRY  D. — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  3,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

FULLER.  RALPH  G. — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  n,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

FLEMING,  HIRAM  P. — Enrolled  at  Groton,  January  2,  1864. 
Died  at  Nashville,  July  10,  1864,  of  disease. 

FLEMING,    GEORGE  W.  —  Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  6, 

1862.  Discharged,  March  4,  1863,  on  account  of  disa- 
bility. 

FORD,  ALFRED — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  8,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19, 

1863.  Appointed*  Corporal,    November   i,   1863.     Dis- 
charged, May  13,  1865,  on  account  of  wounds  received, 
December  15,  1864,  in  the  Battle  of  Nashville. 

FALLEY,  ALPHA  B. — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  7,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  June  23,  1863,  on  account 
of  disability. 


426  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

FORD,  JAMES — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  1 1 ,  1 862.  Trans- 
ferred to  Mississippi  Marine  Brigade,  March  n,  1863. 
Deceased. 

GARDNER,  OLIVER — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  8,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

GARMON,  JAMES  M. — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  8,  1862. 
Killed,  September  19,  1863,  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga. 

GREINER,  PETER — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  10,  1862. 
Wounded  and  taken  prisoner  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's 
River.  Recaptured.  Transferred  to  Signal  Corps,  Oc- 
tober 22,  1863. 

GREEN,  ALVIN  —  Enrolled  at  Berlin,  January  2,  1864. 
Transferred  to  Company  A,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, June  10,  1865. 

GRANT,  JOHN  W. — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  December  23,  1863. 
Transferred  to  Company  A,  5  ist  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry, 
June  10,  1865. 

HOOVER,  GEORGE — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  7,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

HOUCK,  FREDERICK — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  7,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

HOWEY,  ALBA  —  Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  n,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

HowELL,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  n,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  arm  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River, 
December  31,  1862.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

HARRIS,  DANIEL  W.  —  Enrolled  at  Berlin,  July  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

HIGGINS,  DANIEL  B. — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  9,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

HUTCHINSON,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Florence,  August  8, 
1862.  Killed  in  the  Battle  of  Nashville,  December  15, 
1864. 

HEWITT,  GEORGE — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  6,  1862. 
Killed  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 

HODGE,  MARTIN — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  December  23,  1863. 
Died  at  Bridgeport,  February  22,  1864,  of  disease. 


ROSTER.  427 

HALE,  MILES  E. — Enrolled  at  Florence,  August  9,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Columbus,  O.,  January  31,  1863,  on  account 
of  disability. 

HUMPHREY,  MALACHI  G. —  Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  8, 
1862.  Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  Decem- 
ber 31,  1862.  Discharged  at  Camp  Dennison,  O.,  May 
25,  1865,  on  account  of  wounds  received  in  the  Battle  of 
Nashville,  December  15,  1864.  Died  at  Bellevue,  Ohio, 
October  22,  1893. 

HOWEY,  JOHN  —  Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  n,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 

1862.  Transferred  to   i2Oth  Company,   2nd  Battalion, 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps.     Mustered  out,  June  29,  1865, 
at  Evansville,  Ind.     Deceased. 

HORN,  EDGAR  F. — Enrolled  at  Florence,  August  9,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Company  K,  i5th  Regiment,  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps.  Mustered  out,  May  8,  1865,  at  Spring- 
field, 111. 

HOWSER,  MARTIN  W. —  Enrolled  at  Groton,  January  2, 
1864.  Transferred  to  Company  A,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry,  June  10,  1865. 

HUMPHREY,  CHARLES  —  Enrolled  at  Groton,  January  2, 
1864.  Mustered  out,  May  30,  1865,  at  Cleveland,  O. 

HAY,  JACOB — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  8,  1862.  Trans- 
ferred to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  May  3,  1864.  Mus- 
tered out  at  Louisville,  June  12,  1865. 

JONES,  BENJAMIN  F. — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  6,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

JOHNSON,  PHILIP — Enrolled,  February  15,  1864.  Trans- 
ferred to  Company  A,  June  10,  1865. 

JOHNSON,  GEORGE — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  January  2,  1864. 
Died  at  New  Albany,  Ind.,  February  28,  1865,  of  dis- 
ease. 

KEITH,   WILLIAM   M. — Enrolled  at   Berlin,   December  28, 

1863.  Died  at  Chattanooga,  July  18,  1864,  of  disease. 

LONG,  CHARLES — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  n,  1862. 
Detached  as  Blacksmith,  September  29,  1863.  Mustered 
out  with  Company. 


428  STORY    OF    THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

LEWIS,  ALEXANDER — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  July  31,  1862. 
Died  at  Lebanon,  Ky.,  December  2,  1862,  of  disease. 

LOWRY,  LABAN  D. — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  n,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Madison,  Ind.,  December  n,  1863,  on 
account  of  disability. 

LANDIN,  PETER — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  8,  1862.  Dis- 
charged at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  February  7,  1863,  on 
account  of  disability. 

MORDOFF,  GEORGE — Enrolled  at  Florence,  August  7,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Corporal.  Promoted  to  Sergeant,  July  2, 
1864.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

MORSE,  GEORGE  B. — Enrolled  at  Florence,  August  8,  1862. 

Promoted  to  Corporal,  January  i,  1863.     Mustered    out 

with  Company. 
MILLER,  ANDREW  J. — Enrolled   at   Florence,    August   7, 

1862.     Promoted  to  Corporal,  March  i,  1865.    Mustered 

out  with  Company. 

MYERS,  DANIEL — Enrolled  at  Florence,  August  7,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

McKESSON,  ANDREW  D. — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  6, 
1862.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

MULLENIX,  CURTIS  B. — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  July  31,  1862. 
Killed  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  January  i,  1863. 

MEIKLE,  ANDREW — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  6,  1862. 
Killed  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  January  2,  1863. 

MILLER,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Florence,  December  15,  1893. 
Transferred  to  Company  A,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer  Infan- 
try, June  10,  1865,  as  Jacob  Miller. 

MYRES,  NICHOLAS — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  7,  1862. 
Killed  in  assault  upon  Bald  Knob,  in  front  of  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  June  20,  1864. 

MULLENIX,  LEROY — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  ro,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Corporal,  November  i,  1863.  Died,  July 
25,  1864,  in  Field  Hospital,  near  Kenesaw  Mountain,  of 
wounds  received,  July  4,  1864,  in  action  at  Ruff's  Sta- 
tion, near  Marietta. 


ROSTER.  429 

MILLER,  FRANCIS  M. — Enrolled  at  Florence,  August  9, 
1862.  Discharged,  October  17,  1862,  on  account  of 
disability. 

MOREHOUSE,  CHARLES  D. — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  July  31, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Ooltewah,  February  28,  1864,  on 
account  of  wounds  received  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River, 
December  31,  1862.  Deceased. 

MILLER,    LAFAYETTE — Enrolled   at   Florence,    August   7, 

1862.  Transferred  to  Company   K,    ist   United  States 
Veteran    Volunteer   Engineer   Corps,    August    7,    1864. 
Mustered  out,  June  30,  1865. 

MAGILL,  ALFRED — Enrolled  at  Groton,  January  2,  1864. 
Transferred  to  Company  A,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, June  10,  1865. 

MAGILL,  FRANCIS — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  6,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Company  H,  i2th  Regiment,  Veteran  Re- 
serve Corps.  Mustered  out,  June  29,  1865,  at  Washing- 
ton, D.  C. 

MUNSON,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Florence,  August  7,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  April  10,  1864. 

MANNING,  GEORGE — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  January  5,  1864. 
Transferred  to  Company  I,  6th  Regiment,  Veteran  Re- 
serve Corps,  March  29,  1865.  Mustered  out  July  u, 
1865,  at  Cincinnati. 

MORTON,  PHILIP — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  December  28,  1863. 
Mustered  out  at  Chattanooga,  May  31,  1865. 

OSBORN,  LEWIS — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  July  30,  1862.  Taken 
prisoner  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19, 

1863.  Died  in  rebel  prison  at  Richmond,  Va.,  December 
14,  1863,  of  disease. 

OSTERHOUT,  HENRY  C. — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  December  28, 
1863.  Transferred  to  Company  I,  22nd  Regiment,  Vet- 
eran Reserve  Corps.  Mustered  out,  July  12,  1865,  at 
Cleveland,  O. 

PAXTON,  STEPHANZ. — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  6,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Corporal,  May  10,  1863.  Wounded  and  cap- 
tured at  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 


430  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

PLUE,  DAVID — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  6,  1862.  Pro- 
moted to  Corporal,  July  i,  1864.  Wounded  in  the  Battle 
of  Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863.  Wounded  at 
Jonesboro',  September  i,  1864.  Mustered  out  with 
Company. 

PIKK,  JAMES  J. —  Enrolled  at  Florence,  August  7,  1862. 
Discharged,  January  6,  1864,  at  Bridgeport,  on  account 
of  disability. 

PHELPS,  ISAAC  —  Enrolled  at  Berlin,  January  5,  1864. 
Transferred  to  Company  F,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry, 
June  10,  1865. 

RAY,  GILES  W.  —  Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  7,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19, 
1863.  Appointed  Corporal,  July  i,  1864.  Mustered  out 
with  Company. 

RUSSET,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  4,  1862.  Mus- 
tered out  with  Company. 

RUSSETT,  CHARLES — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  4,  1862. 
Wounded  in  leg  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  Septem- 
ber 19,  1863.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

RUSSELL,  LYMAN  B. — Enrolled  at  Florence,  August  8,  1862. 
Appointed  Corporal,  November  i,  1863.  Mustered  out 
with  Company. 

RAMSDELL,  HORACE  V. — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  6, 
1862.  Discharged,  March  n,  1863,  on  account  of 
wounds  received  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December 
31,  1862. 

RUSSELL,  RODERICK— Enrolled  at  Florence,  August  7,  1862. 
Detailed  as  Musician.  Discharged,  March  26,  1883,  at 
Columbus,  on  account  of  disability. 

SHERMAN,  ALMON — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  3,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

SUTTON,  ALFRED — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  n,  1862. 
Detached  on  Gunboat  "  Newsboy,"  July  20,  1863.  Mus- 
tered out  at  Columbus,  June  30,  1865. 

SMITH,  ESBON  W.— Enrolled  at  Groton,  January  2,  1864. 
Killed  in  the  Battle  of  Jonesboro',  Ga.,  September  i, 
1864. 


ROSTER.  431 

SMITH,  GEORGE  L. — Enrolled  atJFlorence,  August  7,  1862. 
Died  at  Nashville,  December  4,  1862,  of  disease. 

SHAKER,  GEORGE  W. — Enrolled  at  Florence,  August  7, 
1862.  Died  at  Chattanooga,  June  19,  1864,  of  disease. 

SAUNDERS,  RUSSELL — Enrolled  at  Florence,  August  7,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Camp  Dennison,  August  15,  1863,  on 
account  of  disability. 

SMITH,  ELISHA  D. — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  6,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 

1862.  Discharged   at  Madison,  Ind.,  June  4,    1864,   on 
account  of  wounds  received  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga, 
September  20,  1863. 

SHERMAN,  CHARLES  —  Enrolled   at   Berlin,  .December  26, 

1863.  Transferred  to  Company  F,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry,  June  10,  1865. 

THOMPSON,  DEWITT  C. — Enrolled  at  Grotou,  August  6, 

1862.     Mustered  out  with  Company. 
VAN  NESS,  WILLIAM   H. — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  7, 

1862.  Mustered  as  Sergeant.     Discharged,  October  26, 

1863.  on  account  of  disability. 

WHITE,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  6,  1862.  Mus- 
tered as  Corporal.  Wounded  and  captured  in  the  Battle 
of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862.  Promoted  to  Ser- 
geant, October  15,  1863.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 
Deceased . 

WHEAT,  JOHN  D. — Enrolled  at  Groton,  August  6,  1862. 
Detached  in  Brigade  Band,  July  5,  1864.  Mustered  out 
with  Company. 

WILBUR,  MARTIN  V. — Enrolled  at  Florence,  August  i, 
1862.  Discharged,  March  27,  1865,  on  account  of 
wounds  received  in  action  at  RufF's  Station,  near  Kene- 
saw. 

WOLCOTT,  LAFAYETTE — Enrolled  at  Groton,  February  22, 

1864.  Transferred  to  Company  F,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry,  June  10,  1865. 

WEATHERLOW,  DANIEL  R. — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  December 
26,  1863.  Transferred  to  Company  F,  5ist  Ohio  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  June  10,  1865.  Deceased. 


432  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

WILSON,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  February  13,  1865. 
Transferred  to  Company  F,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, June  10,  1865. 

WELLS,  MADISON  E. — Enrolled  at  Berlin,  August  8,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Corporal,  May  10,  1863;  to  Sergeant,  July 
i,  1864.  Wounded,  September  i,  1864,  in  the  Battle  of 
Jonesboro',  Ga.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

WHEAT,  GEORGE  W. — Enrolled,  August  n,  1862.  Dis- 
charged, February  4,  1863,  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  on 
account  of  disability.  Deceased. 


COMPANY  H. 

CAPTAIN  JESSE  SHRIVER  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin.  Mustered 
as  Captain,  at  Monroeville,  August  i,  1862.  Resigned, 
April  8,  1863,  at  Columbus,  on  account  of  disability. 
Died  in  Tiffin,  July  12,  1870. 

CAPTAIN  LEONARD  D.  SMITH — See  Field  and  Staff  and 
Company  C. 

CAPTAIN  WILLIAM  N.  BEER — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August 
14,  1862.  See  Non-Commissioned  Staff. 

LIEUTENANT  HERBERT  G.  OGDEN — Enrolled  at  Monroe- 
ville, August  15,  1862.  Mustered  as  First  Lieutenant. 
Resigned,  February  17,  1863. 

LIEUTENANT  WILLIAM  P.  MYERS — Enrolled  at  Republic, 
O.  Mustered  as  First  Sergeant,  August  n,  1862.  Pro- 
moted to  Second  Lieutenant,  February  17,  1863;  to  First 
Lieutenant,  at  Ooltewah,  March  19,  1864.  Resigned, 
May  12,  1865. 

LIEUTENANT  JAMES  I.  NEFF — Enrolled,  August  u,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Second  Lieutenant.  Promoted  to  extra 
First  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant  and  transferred  to  Field 
and  Staff,  May  30,  1863.  Mustered  out  to  accept  com- 
mission as  Captain  of  Company  A,  April  27,  1865,  to 
date  February  24,  1865.  Mustered  out  as  Captain  by 
reason  of  strength  of  Company  not  allowing  muster  until 
further  orders  were  received  from  War  Department, 
May  10,  1865.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 


ROSTER.  433 

ANDERS,  DAVID  B.  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  13,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 
1862.  Promoted  to  Sergeant,  February  23,  1864.  Mus- 
tered out  with  the  Company. 

AN  WAY,  SILAS  B. — Enrolled  at  Republic,  August  7,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  the  Company. 

ANWAY,  JOHN  E. — Enrolled  at  Republic,  August  9,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  the  Company. 

AMES,  JAMES  S. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  9,  1862. 
Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  February  25,  1863,  of  wounds 
received  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 
1862. 

BELL,  CHARLES  W. —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  9,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Corporal,  February  28,  1865.  Wounded  in 
the  Battle  ot  Stone's  River.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

BURNS,  WILLIAM  J. — Enrolled  in  Seneca  County,  August 
n,  1862.     Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Resaca,  May   14 
1864.      Discharged  at  Madison,  Ind.,  January  13,  1865, 
on  account  of  disability. 

BOROFF,  WILLIAM  C. — Enrolled  in  Seneca  County,  August 
9,  1862.  Died  at  Murfreesboro',  Tenn.,  January  24,  1863, 
of  disease. 

BOWLAND,  JAMES  A. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862. 
Died  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  January  23,  1863,  of  disease. 

BELL,  BENJAMIN  F. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  9,  1862. 
Discharged,  May  30,  1863,  at  Camp  Dennison,  O.,  on 
account  of  wounds  received  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River, 
December  31,  1862. 

BARGER,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862.  Trans- 
ferred to  Company  F,  yth  Regiment,  Veteran  Reserve 
Corps,  September  30,  1863.  Mustered  out,  June  28,  1865, 
at  Washington,  D.C. 

BESSEY,  JACOB — Enrolled  in  Seneca  County,  August  9, 
1862.  Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  Decem- 
ber 31,  1862.  Transferred  to  Company  B,  23rd  Regi- 
ment, Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  November  i,  1863.  Mus- 
tered out  at  Clinton,  la.,  July  13,  1865. 

28 


434  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

BEAVER,  M.  A. — Enrolled,    August    n,    1862,    in   Seneca 

County.     Mustered  out  with  the  Company, 
COLE,   LEONARD  G. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  2,    1862. 

Promoted  to  Corporal,  June  30,  1863.     Wounded  in  the 

Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19,   1863.     Wounded 

in  the  Battle  of  Resaca,  May   14,    1864.     Mustered   out 

with  Company. 
COOK,  JOHN  H. — Enrolled  at   Republic,   August   7,  1862. 

Captured  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 

1862.     Mustered  out  with  the  Company. 
CRUM,   WILLIAM  —  Enrolled   at    Tiffin,    August   2,    1862. 

Mustered  out  with  the  Company.     Deceased. 
CHAFFEE,  GEORGE  W. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  7,  1862. 

Died  at  Danville,  Ky.,  October  31,  1862,  of  typhoid  fever. 
CROSS,  HAMILTON  J. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  9,   1862. 

Discharged,  August  30,   1863,  at  Camp   Chase,  O.,    on 

account  of  disability. 
CURRIGAN,  EDWARD  W. —  Enrolled   at  Tiffin,   August   8, 

1862.  Discharged  at  Nashville,  May  6,  1863,  on  account 
of   wounds  in  the  shoulder,    received   in  the  Battle  of 
Stone's  River;  also,  wounded  at  La  Vergne,  Tenn.,  on 
the  way  to  Nashville,  by  bushwhackers.     Re-enlisted  at 
Tiffin,  February  5,  1865,  in  Company  B,  i95th  Ohio  Vol- 
unteer Infantry.      Appointed    Sergeant.      Promoted   to 
Brevet-Lieutenant,  but   refused   to  accept   commission. 
Mustered  out,  December  22,  1865. 

CROSS,  HENRY  C.  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  9,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Company  K,  ist  Regiment,  United  States 
Veteran  Volunteer  Engineers,  August  7,  1864.  Mus- 
tered out,  June  30,  1865. 

DIBBLE,  HENRY  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  20, 

1863.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

DIBBLE,  CHARLES  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  u,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company.  Deceased. 

DIBBLE,  FREDERICK — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862. 
Died  in  Anderson ville  Prison,  October  9,  1864,  having 
been  wounded  and  captured  in  the  Battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga, September  19,  1863. 


ROSTER.  435 

DENSON,  DAVID  B. —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862. 
Died  of  brain  fever,  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  January  4,  1863. 
Detailed  as  teamster.  His  wagon  was  in  the  train  cap- 
tured at  Murfreesboro' — overheated  himself  in  making 
his  escape — took  brain  fever  and  died. 

KCKMAN,  LEANDER — Enrolled  at  Tiffin.  August  7,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  March  14,  1863,  on 
account  of  disability. 

EATON,  ALEXANDER  H. — Enrolled  at  Republic,  August  9, 
1862.  Discharged,  April  7,  1863,  at  Nashville,  Tenn., 
on  account  of  wounds  received  at  Stone's  River,  Decem- 
ber 31,  1862. 

ECKLEBERRY,  PETER — Enrolled  at  Bloomville,  August  9, 

1862.  Wounded  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,   December 
31,    1862.     Discharged  at  Nashville,   Tenn  ,    March    5, 

1863,  on  account  of  disability. 

Fox,  CHARLES  C. — Enrolled  at  Republic,  August  n,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Corporal,  October  31,  1862;  to  Sergeant, 
December  i,  1864.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

Fox,  JAMES  B. — Enrolled  at  Republic,  August  n,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 
1862.  Transferred  to  Company  G,  2ist  Regiment,  Vet- 
eran Reserve  Corps,  February  16,  1864.  Mustered  out 
as  Sergeant,  July  6,  1865. 

FiSER,  JOHN  S. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862.  Died 
in  camp  at  Murfreesboro',  Tenn.,  March  3,  1863,  of 
pneumonia. 

FROST,  JOSIAH  B. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  u,  1862. 
Discharged,  February  14,  1863,  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 

FLINN,  BENJAMIN  D. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Discharged,  September  19,  1863,  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  on 
account  of  disability. 

GUIESBERT,  SAMUEL — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862. 
"Promoted  to  Corporal,  October  31,  1862.  Wounded  in 
the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862.  Wound- 
ed and  captured  by  Forrest,  on  the  boat,  between  Nash- 
ville and  Louisville.  Paroled.  Exchanged.  Rejoined 
the  Regiment  at  Chattanooga.  Promoted  to  Sergeant, 


436  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

February  28,  1865.    Mustered  out  with  Company.    Died 

in  Seneca  County,  Ohio,  in  1869. 
GREEN,    TIMOTHY    M. —  Enrolled  at  Republic,  August  7, 

1862.     Mustered  out  with  Company. 
GREEN,  OWEN  R. — Enrolled  at  Republic,  August  7,  1862. 

Mustered  out  with  Company. 
GUIESBERT,  DANIEL — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862. 

Wounded  in  the   Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 

1862.       Transferred    to    Company    H,    i5th    Regiment, 

Veteran   Reserve  Corps,   December  3,    1863.     Mustered 

out,  July  15,  1865,  at  Cairo,  111. 
HULET,  CHESTER  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,   August  9,   1862. 

Mustered  out  with  Company,  June  12,  1865. 
HEILMAN,  EDWARD — Enrolled  at  Republic,  August  9,  1862. 

Discharged,   December   n,  1862,   at  Louisville,  Ky.,  on 

account  of  disability. 
HILL,  JEREMIAH  B. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  9,    1862. 

Discharged,  April  7,  1863,  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  on  account 

of  disability. 
HEWETT,  CECIL  C. —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862- 

Discharged,  February  24,  1864,  at  Columbus,  O.,  having 

furnished  an  accepted  substitute. 

ROWLAND,  STEPHEN  M. — Enrolled  at  Republic,  August  13, 
1862.  Promoted  to  Corporal,  October  31,  1862.  Wounded 
in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863.  Pro- 
moted to  Sergeant,  October  31,  1863.  Transferred  to 
i48th  Company,  2nd  Battalion,  Veteran  Reserve  Corps, 
March  15,  1865.  Mustered  out,  June  30,  1865,  at  Nash- 
ville, Tenn. 

HADE,  DALLAS  W. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  10,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Sergeant.  Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Feb- 
ruary i,  1863,  of  wounds  received  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's 
River,  December  31,  1862. 

JENKINS,  BENJAMIN  F. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n, 
1862.  Mustered  out  with  the  Company. 

KOLLER,  HENRY  C. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862. 
Wounded  at  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  the  Company. 


ROSTER.  437 

KOCH,  JOHN  L-  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  9,  1862. 
Wounded  at  Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863.  Mus- 
tered out  with  Company. 

KENT,  HENRY  W. — Enrolled  at  Republic,  August  7,  1862. 
Transferred,  August  7,  1864,  to  Company  K,  United 
States  Veteran  Volunteer  Engineer  Corps.  Mustered 
out,  June  30,  1865,  at  Nashville. 

KELLER,  JOSEPH — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  5,  1862.  Mus- 
tered as  Sergeant.  Died  at  Camp  Dennison,  O.,  Febru- 
ary 9,  1864,  of  wounds  received  in  the  Battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga, September  19,  1863. 

LONG,  SAMUEL — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  9,  1862.  Mus- 
tered out  with  the  Company.  Deceased. 

LAPHAM,  EGBERT — Enrolled  at  Republic,  August  7,  1862. 
Died,  April  21,  1863,  in  Field  Hospital  at  Murfreesboro', 
Tenn.,  of  disease. 

LANNING,  ISAAC  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  7,  1862. 
Died,  June  9,  1863,  in  Field  Hospital  at  Murfreesboro', 
Tenn.,  of  disease. 

LEONARD,  JARAWAY — Enrolled  at  Republic,  August  7,  1862. 
Died,  April  5,  1863,  of  disease,  while  at  home  in  Repub- 
lic on  furlough. 

LAPHAM,  JOSEPH  C.  —  Enrolled  at  Republic,  August  13, 
1862.  Died  on  the  field,  May  16,  1864,  of  wounds  re- 
ceived in  the  Battle  of  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  14,  1864. 

LEFFLER,  JOHN  H. — Enrolled  in  Seneca  County,  August 
8,  1862.  Captured  at  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 
Paroled  prior  to  March  7,  1863. 

LAMBERSON,  VIRGIL  L-  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12, 
1862.  Transferred,  March  21,  1863,  to  Mississippi  Mar- 
ine Brigade. 

MILLER,  AUSTIN  W.— Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  10,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Sergeant,  Promoted  to  First  Sergeant, 
June  30,  1863.  Mustered  out  with  Company.  Died  at 
Kenton,  O.,  February  15,  1880.  Editor  of  Kenton  Re- 
publican after  the  war. 

MILLER,  HENRY  C. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  7,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 


438  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

MILLER,  WILLIAM  H. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Transferred  to  i54th  Company,  2nd  Battalion,  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps.  Mustered  out,  June  30,  1865,  at  Nash- 
ville, Tenn. 

MUNDWILER,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n, 
1862.  Wounded,  December  15,  1864,  in  Battle  of  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

MUNDWILER,  JACOB — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862. 
Musician.  Mustered  out,  June  16,  1865,  at  Colum- 
bus, O. 

METLER,  WILLIAM  C. —  Enrolled  at  Republic,  August  7, 
1862.  Taken  prisoner  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga, 
September  19,  1863.  Taken  to  Atlanta  and  to  Richmond 
in  cattle  cars.  In  Pemberton  Prison  three  months ;  in 
Danville  five  months,  in  an  old  tobacco  house,  called 
Prison  No.  2.  "  Our  suffering  for  food  can  never  be  told. 
Many  a  time  I  have  arisen  from  the  hard  floor  at  3 
o'clock  in  the  morning  and  sat  until  7  o'clock  in  hopes 
of  getting  a  crust  of  corn  bread,  often  thrown  in  to  see 
the  'Yanks'  struggle  for  it."  Exchanged.  M.  O.  C. 

McMELLEN,  LEGRAND — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  13, 
1862.  Died  of  disease,  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  January  17, 
1863. 

NONEMAN,  JACOB  F. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19, 
1863  ;  also  at  Franklin,  November  30.  1864.  Mustered 
out  with  Company. 

NORRIS,  CHARLES  P. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  16, 1862. 
Died  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  November  25,  1862,  of  disease. 

PETTYS,  GILBERT  W. — Enrolled  at  Republic,  August  7, 
1862.  Mustered  as  Corporal.  Died  in  Field  Hospital 
at  Murfreesboro',  March  29,  1863,  of  disease. 

PAYNE,  MARTIN  V. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  14,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  May  25,  1863,  on  account 
of  disability.  Deceased. 

RICKEY,  HENDERSON  D.— Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  7, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Ooltewah,  March  23,  1864,  on  ac- 
count of  disability. 


ROSTER.  439 

RQHRER,  JACOB  T.— Enrolled  in  Seneca  County,  August  7, 
1862.  Mustered  out,  May  20,  1865,  at  Columbus,  as  a 
paroled  prisoner,  having  been  captured  near  Huntsville, 
Ala.,  while  with  forage  train.  Was  on  the  "  Sultana  " 
at  time  of  disaster.  See  prison  experience  of  Lieut. 
Squire. 

SMITH,  LEONARD  D. — See  Field  and  Staft. 

STEWART,  JAMES  R. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  9,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

SPARKS,  GEORGE  W. — Enrolled  at  Republic,  August  n, 
1862.  Wounded,  captured  and  paroled  in  the  Battle  of 
Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863.  Exchanged.  Mus- 
tered out  with  Company. 

STONER,  JOHN  C.  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862. 
Detailed  for  a  time  in  Quartermaster's  Department. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

STEPHENS,  ALFRED — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862. 

Mustered  out  with  Company. 
SWEITZER,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  9,  1862. 

Taken  prisoner  at  Chickamauga,    September  19,  1863. 

Mustered  out,  June  9,  1 865,  at  Camp  Chase,  O.    Deceased. 

STINCHCOMB,  FRANCIS  A. —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  5* 
1862.  Mustered  as  Corporal.  Promoted  to  Sergeant » 
April  30,  1863.  Died,  September  i,  1864,  in  Anderson- 
ville Prison,  having  been  captured  in  Battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga, September  19,  1863. 

SNYDER,  SAMUEL — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862. 
Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  January  14,  1863,  of  disease. 

STEPHENS,  GEORGE  W. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12, 
1862.  Died,  August  12,  1864,  in  Andersonville  Prison, 
having  been  captured  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga, 
September  19,  1863. 

SHUFELT,  HENRY — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862. 
Captured  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 

1862.  Confined  in    Libby  and  Andersonville  Prisons. 
Paroled,    March    25,    1863.     Exchanged,   September   4, 

1863.  Transferred,  April  29,   1864,  to  Veteran  Reserve 
Corps.     Mustered  out,  July  6,  1865,  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 


440  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

SPENCE,  THOMAS  P. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  5,  1862. 
Transferred,  March  21,  1863,  to  the  Mississippi  Marine 
Brigade.  Died  in  Hancock  County,  O.,  November  8, 
1878. 

SPARKS,  JAMES  P. — Enrolled  at  Republic,  August  u,  1862. 
Transferred,  December  10,  1863,  to  the  Veteran  Reserve 
Corps. 

SHUFEI/T,  ABRAHAM — Enrolled  at  Tontogany,  Wood  Coun- 
ty, December  16,  1863.  Captured  in  the  Battle  of  Frank- 
lin, November  30,  1864.  Confined  in  Andersonville 
Prison.  Mustered  out,  June  16,  1865,  at  Camp  Chase. 

SHUFELT,  AMBROSE — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  8,  1862. 
Captured  and  paroled  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  Decem- 
ber 31,  1862.  Wounded  at  Bermuda.  Enrolled  in  a 
New  York  Regiment. 

STRAYER,  SYLVANUS — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  5,  1862. 
Discharged,  June  10,  1863,  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  on  ac- 
count of  disability.  Died  on  way  home  from  Hospital. 

SEARLES,  IRVING  W. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  9,  1862. 
Discharged,  February  13,  1863,  at  Gallipolis,  O.,  on  ac- 
count of  disability. 

SNEATH,  WILLIAM  C. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  2,  1862. 
Discharged,  March  17,  1863,  at  Nashville,  on  account  of 
disability.  Deceased. 

SHARP,  HENRY  J. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862. 
Discharged,  January  23,  1863,  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky., 
on  account  of  disability. 

STRAYER,  JOSEPH — Enrolled  in  Seneca  County,  August  5, 
1862.  Discharged,  January  10,  1865,  at  Camp  Dennison, 
O.,  on  account  of  disability.  Wagonmaster  until  after 
Chickamauga. 

STEWART,  JAMES  H. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  u,  1863. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 
1862.  Discharged,  October  i,  1864,  at  Camp  Dennison, 
O.,  on  account  of  disability. 

SELLNER,  TILGHMAN — Enrolled  at  Columbus,  O.,  February 
24,  1864.  Mustered  out,  July  6,  1865,  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 

SHAFER,  AMBROSE — Enrolled,  August  9,  1862. 


ROSTER.  441 

'THOMPSON,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  5,  1862. 
Discharged,  March  16,  1863,  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  on  ac- 
count of  wounds  received  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River, 
December  31,  1862.  Died  at  Tiffin,  O.,  June  18,  1880. 

TRAXER,  PETER  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  9,  1862. 
Wounded  and  captured  at  Chickamauga,  September  19, 
1862.  Paroled.  Promoted  to  Corporal,  February  28, 
1865.  Mustered  out  with  Company.  Deceased. 

VANDENBERG,  GEORGE  W. — Enrolled  at  Republic,  August 
7,  1862.  Mustered  as  Sergeant.  Died,  July  3,  1863,  of 
gunshot  wounds  received  accidentally  at  the  hands  of  a 
comrade,  at  Manchester,  Tenn.,  June  29,  1863. 

WHITEMAN,  WILLIAM  H. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n, 
1862.  Died,  January  7,  1865,  of  wounds  received  in  the 
Battle  of  Nashville,  December  15,  1864,  in  the  charge  near 
Montgomery  Hill.  The  remains  were  brought  home  for 
interment. 

WHITMIRE,  GEORGE  W.  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  7, 
1862.  Died,  February  16,  1863,  &t  Bowling  Green,  Ky., 
of  disease. 

WHITEMAN,  MARQUIS  D.  L- — See  Non-Commissioned  Staff. 

WITTER,  JONATHAN — Enrolled  at  Republic,  August  n, 
1862.  Discharged,  May  7,  1863,  at  Louisville,  Ky. ,  on 
account  of  disability.  Died,  April  14,  1894,  at  Toledo,  O. 

WILLIAMS,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  9,  1862.  Dis- 
charged, August  30,  1863,  at  Stevenson,  Ala.,  on  ac- 
count of  disability.  Deceased. 

WHITEMAN,  HARMON — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Company  B,  23rd  Regiment,  Veteran  Re- 
serve Corps,  December  3,  1864.  Mustered  out,  July  15, 
1865,  at  Cairo,  111.  Deceased. 

WERNER,  SAMUEL — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  February  10,  1865. 
Transferred  to  Company  F,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer  Infant- 
ry, June  10,  1865.  Joined  Regiment  at  Huntsville,  Ala. 

WERNER,  JACOB — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  February  10,  1865. 
Transferred  to  Company  F,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer  Infant- 
ry, June  10,  1865. 


442  STORY    OF    THE    IOIST    OHIO. 

YKAGER,  JACOB  F. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862* 
Wounded  in  the  left  leg  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River. 
Wounded  at  Resaca,  May  14,  1864.  Transferred  to 
1 53rd  Company,  2nd  Battalion,  Veteran  Reserve  Corps, 
March  15,  1865.  Mustered  out,  June  29,  1865,  at  Nash- 
ville, Tenn. 

YOUNG,  JEREMIAH  R. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  13,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Corporal.  Taken  prisoner  in  the  Battle  of 
Stone's  River,  December  31,  1863.  Paroled. 

YEAGER,  JACOB  C.  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  9,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Corporal,  June  30,  1863.  Wounded  in  the 
Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863.  Mustered 
out  with  Company. 


COMPANY  I. 

CAPTAIN  NEWCOMB  M.  BARNES — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  Au- 
gust 2,  1862.  Mustered  as  Captain.  Resignation  ac- 
cepted, January  13,  1864.  Died,  December  i,  1874,  at 
Tiffin,  O. 

CAPTAIN  HENRY  A.  TAGGART — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August 
1,1862.  Mustered  as  Second  Lieutenant.  Promoted  to 
First  Lieutenant,  January  25,  1863.  Promoted  to  Cap- 
tain, March  19,  1864.  Taken  prisoner  in  the  Battle  of 
Franklin,  November  30,  1864.  Mustered  out,  May  15, 
1865.  One  of  the  survivors  of  the  ill-fated  Sultana. 
Died  at  the  Soldiers'  Home,  Dayton,  O.,  July  12,  1876. 

LIEUTENANT  ROBERT  LYSLE,  JR. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  Au- 
gust n,  1862.  Mustered  as  First  Lieutenant.  Resig- 
nation accepted,  February  19,  1863.  Deceased. 

LIEUTENANT  JAY  C.  SMITH — Enrolled  at  Sandnsky,  Au- 
gust 5,  1862.  See  Non-Commissioned  Staff. 

LIEUTENANT  ISAAC  P.  RULE — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August 
12,  1862.  Mustered  as  First  Sergeant.  Promoted  to 
Second  Lieutenant,  January  25,  1863.  Died,  September 
20,  1863,  of  wounds  received  in  the  Battle  of  Chicka- 


ROSTER.  443 

mauga,  September  19,  1863.  Lieutenant  Rule  was  mor- 
tally wounded  about  3  o'clock  Saturday  afternoon;  was 
carried  to  the  rear  by  Comrade  Raymond  and  another, 
and  placed  in  a  hospital  some  two  miles  back.  This 
hospital  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  next  day,  and 
all  were  made  prisoners. 


ARNDT,  SAMUEL  F. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  9,  1862. 
Died,  January  2,  1863,  of  wounds  received  in  the  Battle 
of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862,  in  the  Field  Hospi- 
tal, Murfreesboro',  Tenn. 

ARMSTRONG,  THOMAS — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  March  30,  1864. 
Died,  June  9,  1864,  at  Chattanooga,  of  disease. 

BONNELL,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 
1862.  Detailed  in  Quartermaster's  Department.  Mus- 
tered out  with  Company. 

BROCK,  ABRAHAM — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

BEMISDORFER,  SIMON  P. —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12, 
1862.  Captured  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  Septem- 
ber 20,  1863.  Confined  in  Belle  Isle,  Libby,  Danville, 
Andersonville,  Charleston,  and  Florence  Prisons.  Paroled 
December  10,  1864  ;  sent  to  Annapolis  ;  furlonghed  and 
sent  to  hospital.  Rejoined  the  Regiment  at  Camp  Harker 
in  May,  1865.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

BRADY,  JACOB  H. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  13,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Corporal.  Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's 
River,  December  31,  1862.  Captured  on  Cumberland 
River,  January  18,  1863.  Died,  October  31,  1864,  at 
Chattanooga,  of  wounds  received  in  the  Battle  of  Jones- 
boro,'  September  i,  1864. 

BIRDSALL,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  8,  1862. 
Died  at  Nashville,  November  29,  1862,  of  disease. 

BROSHIER,  NICHOLAS  —  Enrolled  at  Louisville,  April  15, 
1864.  Died  at  Chattanooga,  July  6,  1864,  of  wounds  re- 
ceived at  Kenesaw,  June  27,  1864. 

BROWN,  PETER— Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  January  18,  1864.  No 
further  record. 


444  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

BONNELL,  RICHARD  W.  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  9, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Nashville,  February  5,  1863,  on 
account  of  disability.  Died  on  day  of  discharge,  Feb- 
ruary 5,  1863. 

CRONKITE,  TUNIS  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Wounded  and  captnred  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River, 
December  31,  1862.  Escaped  the  same  day.  Promoted 
to  Corporal,  March  5,  1865.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

CRABBS,  CHARLES  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Died,  September  3,  1864,  in  Field  Hospital,  of  wounds 
received  at  Jonesboro',  September  i,  1864. 

CARL,  JONAS  H. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  3,  1862.  No 
record  after  October  7,  1862. 

CARR,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  February  15,  1864.  Trans- 
ferred to  Company  F,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry, 
June  10,  1865. 

DE\VITT,  PETER  J.— Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Twice  wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Jonesboro',  September 
i,  1864,  once  while  carrying  Sergeant  Wood  from  the 
field.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

DOUGHERTY,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 
1862.  Detailed  in  Quartermaster's  Department  for  a 
time.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

DONDORE,  ADAM — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Died  at  Danville,  November  12,  1862,  of  disease. 

DELLGEIT,  ANTHONY — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862. 
Died  at  Nashville,  January  9,  1863,  of  wounds  received 
in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 

DAVEY,  HENRY  C. — Enrolled  in  Wyandot  County,  Decem- 
ber 28,  1863.  Died  at  Ooltewah,  Term.,  April  n,  1864, 
of  disease. 

DAYWALT,  WALLACE  P. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12, 
1862.  Mustered  out  at  Camp  Denison,  May  25,  1865. 
Died  at  Watson,  O.,  November  3,  1885. 

EMERSON,  JOHN  H. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  9,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company.  Died  at  Tiffin,  November 
6,  1867. 


ROSTER.  445 

ELLIS,  WILLIAM  I. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

EGBERT,  NORMAN  D. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Nashville,  February  9,  1863,  on  account 
of  disability. 

FUNK,  CHRISTIAN  M. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  14,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Corporal,  February  28,  1863.  Color  Guard 
in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga.  Captured  in  the  Battle 
of  Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863,  by  the  2Qth  Ala- 
bama. Escaped  from  Danville  Prison  after  seven  months 
confinement.  Reached  Union  lines  at  Little  Washington, 
N.  C.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

FRAVOR,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  ii,  1862.— 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 
1862.  Shot  in  right  arm,  ball  passing  from  wrist  to  el- 
bow. Captured,  but  on  retreat  was  left  in  hospital. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Franklin,  November  30,  1864, 
in  left  shoulder.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

FAHNESTOCK,  LEANDER  H. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August 
12,  1862.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

FRANKS,  FREDERICK — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  u,  1862. 
Killed  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 

FRARY,  JUSTIN  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862. 
Captured  at  Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863.  Died 
at  Danville,  Va.,  December  27,  1863,  of  disease. 

FRANKS,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  u,    1862. 

FRAZER,  JAMES — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  January  25,  1864.  No. 
further  record. 

FUNK,  JOSEPH — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862.  Dis- 
charged at  Covington,  October  3,  1862,  on  account  of  ac- 
cidental wounds  received,  September  19,  1862,  at  Camp 
Mitchell,  Ky. 

FUNK,  DAVID  R. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Louisville,  July  20,  1863,  on  account  of 
disability.  Died  at  Bascom,  O-,  April  26,  1881. 

FAHNESTOCK,  EZRA,  A. — Enrolled  in  Erie  County,  March 
31,  1864.  Transferred  to  Company  A,  5  ist,  Ohio  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  June  10,  1865.  Died  at  Springfield,  O. 


446  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

GOETCHINS,  DUDLEY — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Wounded  and  captured  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga, 
September  19,  1863.  Confined  in  Belle  Isle,  Libby,  Dan- 
ville, Andersonville,  and  other  prisons  for  eighteen 
months.  Mustered  out,  May  22,  1865,  at  Columbus. 

GITTENGER,  GEORGE  W. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12, 
1862.  Died  in  the  Field  Hospital,  January  2,  1863,  of 
wounds  received  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  Decem- 
ber 31,  1862. 

GEORGE,  OLIVER  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  13,  1862. 
Discharged,  March  n,  1863.  Died  at  Beta,  Fulton 
County,  September  9,  1880. 

HALL,  JESSE  H. — Enrolled  at  Covington,  Ky.,  September 
1 8,  1862.  Promoted  to  Corporal,  January  i,  1863.  Pro- 
moted to  Sergeant,  March  i,  1863.  Transferred  to  Vet- 
eran Reserve  Corps,  August  i,  1863.  Re-transferred  at 
his  own  request,  August  15,  1864.  Color  Bearer  at  Bat- 
tle of  Nashville.  Clustered  out  with  Company. 

HUBER,  URIAH — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862.  Mus- 
tered as  Sergeant.  Taken  prisoner  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's 
River,  December  31,  1862.  Confined  in  Libby  and  other 
prisons.  Taken  prisoner  a  second  time,  in  front  of  At- 
lanta, Ga.  Mustered  out,  June  9,  1865,  at  Camp  Chase. 

HOLMAN,  WILLIAM  R. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Corporal,  February  29,  1864.  Mustered 
out  with  Company.  Died  at  Sioux  City,  March  7,  1887. 

HERRIG,  MATTHIAS — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 
1862.  Also  wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Rocky  Face,  Ga., 
May  n,  1864.  Promoted  to  Corporal,  March  5,  1865. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

HUBER,  DANIEL — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  23, 
1864.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

HISKY,  HARRISON  W. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  February  15, 
1864.  Died  at  Jeffersonville,  July  1 1,  1864,  of  disease. 

HOLTZ,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  9,  1862. 
Captured  at  Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863.  Died 
in  Andersonville  Prison,  March  8,  1865,  of  disease. 


ROSTER.  447 

HICKMAN,  PETER  P. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  13.  1862. 
Died  at  Louisville,  October  21,  1862,  of  disease. 

HOYT,  WILLIAM  McK. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  9,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Corporal.  Promoted  to  Sergeant,  March  i, 
1863.  Discharged,  March  25,  1864,  on  account  of  dis- 
ability. 

HERRIN,  DAVID — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  5,  1862.  Dis- 
charged at  Nashville,  February  22,  1863,  on  account  of 
disability. 

HUBER,  HENRY  W. — Enrolled  in  Seneca  County,  January 
21,  1864.  Discharged  at  Columbus,  March  20,  1865,  on 
account  of  wounds  received  at  Jonesboro'.  September 
i,  1864. 

HERALD,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  13.,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Company  K,  ist  Regiment,  United  States 
Veteran  Volunteer  Engineers,  August  7,  1864.  Mustered 
out,  June  30.  1865. 

JORDAN,  WILLIAM  J. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  Company.  Died,  March  23,  1872,  at 
Tiffin,  O. 

JACKSON,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,   December   15,    1863. 

JORDAN,  PHILIP  W. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Taken  prisoner  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December- 
31,  1862.     Discharged  at  Nashville,  October  10,  1863,  on 
account  of  disability.     Deceased. 

JORDAN,  ALONZO  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Columbus,  November  17,  1863,  on  account 
of  disability. 

JOHNSON,  PHILIP — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  February  15,  1864. 
Transferred  to  Company  A,  5ist  OhioVolunteer  Infantry, 
June  10,  1865. 

KNOTT,  CROCKETT — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Third  Corporal.  Promoted  to  Sergeant, 
August  30,  1864.  Killed  in  Battle  of  Franklin,  Novem- 
ber 30,  1864.  Mention  of  this  brave  Comrade  will  be 
found  in  the  Battle  of  Franklin,  page  300. 


448  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

KIPKE,  FRANGOTT — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862, 
Promoted  to  Corporal,  February  29,  1864.  Discharged, 
November  15,  1864,  on  account  of  disability. 

KAUP,  THOMAS  A — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Eighth  Corporal.  Discharged  at  Louisville, 
Ky.,  June  6,  1863,  on  account  of  wounds  received  in  the 
Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862.  Died  at 
Tiffin,  O.,  October  i,  1876. 

KUNSMAN,  JOHN  G. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  January  27,  1864. 
Transferred  to  Company  A,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry, 
June  10,  1865.  Died  at  Green  Springs,  O.,  in  1886. 

KERSHNER,  JOSEPH — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Company  G,  i2th  Regiment,  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps,  April  29,  1864.  Mustered  out,  June  29, 
1865,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 

KISSINGER,  JAMES  A. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 
1862.  Transferred  to  Company  B,  i23rd  Regiment,Vet- 
eran  Reserve  Corps,  September  30,  1864.  Mustered  out, 
July  13,  1865,  at  Clinton,  Iowa. 

LUTZ,  SCOT,  McD. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  December  30,  1862,  of  disease. 

LEE,  WILBUR  D. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Discharged,  May  22, 1863,  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  on  account 
of  disability.  Died,  December  19,  1890,  at  Attica,  O. 

LEPPER,  EDWARD — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  u,  1862. 
Discharged,  December  27,  1862,  at  Nashville,  on  ac- 
count of  disability. 

LOWE,  GEORGE  W. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Captured  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 

1862.  Transferred   to   United   States   Navy,   June   16, 
1864.     Deceased. 

LAUX,  JOSEPH  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  20, 

1863.  Transferred   to   Veteran   Reserve  Corps,   March 
15,    1864.      Mustered   out,    June   28,    1865,    at    Camp 
Den  ni  son. 


ROSTER.  449 

MEALY,  MILTON  C. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  5,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Corporal,  March  5,  1865.  Mustered  out 
with  the  Company. 

MESSER,  W.  L. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  8,  1862.  Mus- 
tered out  with  the  Company. 

MORRIS,  SAMUEL  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  6,  1862. 
Taken  prisoner  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December 
31,  1862.  Confined  in  Castle  Thunder  and  Libby  Pris- 
ons. Exchanged.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

MILLER,  ADEN  W. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Killed  in  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863. 

McMEEN,  ROBERT — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  13,  1862. 
Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  January  19,  1863,  of  wounds 
received  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 

MYERS,  FREDERICK — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Discharged,  October  18,  1863,  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  on 
account  of  wounds  received  in  Battle  of  Stone's  River, 
December  31,  1862.  In  hands  of  the  enemy  until  they 
retreated. 

MILLER,  JACOB — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  December  15,  1863. 
Transferred  to  Company  A,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, June  10,  1865.  Deceased. 

MEHAN,  ANDREW — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  January  27,  1864. 
Transferred  to  Company  F,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, June  10,  1865.  Died  at  Marine  City,  Mich. 

MYERS,  GEORGE — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  February  15,  1864. 
Transferred  to  Company  A,  3ist  Ohio  Voluntner  In- 
fantry, June  10,  1865.  Mustered  out,  November  3,  1865, 
at  Columbus,  O. 

MYERS,  JOSEPH  P. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  January  5,  1864. 
Wounded  at  Marietta,  Ga.,  on  Atlanta  campaign.  Trans- 
ferred to  Company  A,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry, 
June  1 8,  1865. 

MINER,  ANTHONY — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  January  4,  1864. 
Transferred  to  Company  F,  51  st  Ohio  Volunteer  Infan- 
try, June  1 8,  1865.  Deceased. 

29 


450  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

McCLEARY,  JOSEPH  W. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  January 
28,  1864.  Transferred  to  Company  A,  5ist  Ohio  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  June  10,  1865. 

MOORE,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Killed  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863. 

ORWIG,  JOHN  B. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Died  in  Andersonville  Prison,  Ga.,  April  18,  1865,  of  dis- 
ease, having  been  captured  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga, 
September  20,  1863. 

OMWAKE,  JEREMIAH — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Discharged,  October  29,  1863,  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  on 
account  of  disability.  Deceased. 

O'CoNNELL,  MICHAEL — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  September  30, 
1863.  Died  at  Tiffin,  September  29,  1880. 

PRICE,  WILLIAM  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19, 
1863.  Promoted  to  Corporal,  Eebruary  29,  1864.  Pro- 
moted to  Sergeant,  March  5,  1865.  Mustered  out  with 
Company. 

PiTTENGER,  HENRY  C, — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12, 
1862.  Wounded  at  Atlanta,  June  23,  1864.  Mustered 
out  with  the  Company. 

PARK,  ROBERT  F. —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Sergeant.  Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Feb- 
ruary 2,  1863,  of  disease. 

PECK,  DAVID  G.  —  Enrolled   at   Tiffin,   August   12,   1862. 

PATTEN,  AUSTIN  H. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  January  27,  1864. 

Transferred  to  Company  F,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry, 

June  10,  1865. 
QUINN,    DAVID  —  Enrolled   at  Tiffin,    January   27,    1864. 

Wounded  at  Buzzard's  Roost,  May  n,  1864.  Transferred 

to  Company  F,   5ist  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  June  10, 

1865. 
REINBOLT,  MICHAEL — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 

Mustered  out  with  the  Company. 
RICHARDS,  ALBERT — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  January  17,    1864. 


ROSTER.  451 

RAYMOND,  JOSEPH  M. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  13,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Sixth  Corporal.  Wounded  and  captured  in 
the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863.  Ten 
days  in  field  hospital.  Promoted  to  Sergeant,  January 
20,  1864.  Promoted  to  First  Sergeant,  January  i,  1865. 
Mustered  out  with  Company. 

REINBOI/T,  JOSEPH — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  January  5,  1864. 
Transferred  to  Company  F,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, June  10,  1865. 

SCHNOOR  JOHN  T. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  the  Company. 

SELLERS,  JACOB — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862.  Died 
at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  November  10,  1862,  of  disease. 

SHRIVER,  EZRA  C. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  December  12,  1862,  of  disease. 

SHRIVER,  EMANUELJ. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  January  13,  1863,  of  disease. 

SEITZ,  JACOB — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862.  Died 
at  Covington,  Ky.,  October  3,  1862,  of  disease.  First 
death  in  the  Regiment. 

SHUMAKER,  WILLIAM  H. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12, 

1862.  Died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  December  29,  1862, 
of  disease. 

SNOOK,  JAMES  H. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  January  4,    1864. 

Died  at  Washington,  March  n,  1865,  of  disease. 
SNYDER,    SIMON  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,   August    12,    1862. 

Mustered  as  Third  Sergeant.   Promoted  to  First  Sergeant, 

March  i,  1863.     Discharged,  June  23,  1864,  on  account 

of  disability. 
SHAFER,  JOHN  A. —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August   12,   1862. 

Captured  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  20, 

1863.  Confined  in  Andersonville.    Exchanged.    Sultana 
survivor.     Mustered  out,  May  22,  1865,  at  Columbus,  O. 

SHEETS,  JACOB  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  8,  1862.— 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 
1862.  Mustered  as  Seventh  Corporal.  Transferred  to 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  September  30,  1863.  Mustered 
out,  June  20,  1865,  at  Chicago,  111. 


452  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

SOMERS,  GEORGE  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  January  18,  1864. 
Wounded  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  May  n,  1864.  Trans- 
ferred to  loyth  Company,  2nd  Battalion, Veteran  Reserve 
Corps,  March  15,  1865.  Mustered  out,  November  n, 
1865,  at  Springfield,  111. 

SCHMIDT,  JOHN  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  6,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Company  K,  ist  Regiment,  United  States 
Veteran  Volunteer  Engineers,  August  7,  1864.  Mus- 
tered out,  June  30,  1865. 

SMITH,  LEWIS  E.  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Corporal,  December  i,  1864.  Mustered  out 
with  Company. 

TREXLER,  ALFRED  J. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  13,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Corporal,  March  5,  1865.  Mustered  out 
with  Company.  Died,  April  28,  1880. 

TREXLER,  JOHN  J. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  13,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  December  15, 
1863.  Mustered  out,  August  18,  1865,  at  Louisville. 

TAYLOR,  HENRY  L. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  u,  1862. 
Discharged,  May  17,  1864,  at  Columbus,  O.  Died  at 
Republic,  O.,  January,  1894. 

VAN  NEST,  JOSEPH— Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  i8g2. 
Wounded  three  times  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River.  De- 
cember 31,  1862.  Taken  prisoner,  January  18,  1863,  at 
Harfish  Sholes,  on  the  Cumberland  River.  Wounded 
in  knee  in  Battle  of  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  14,  1864.  Color 
Guard  on  the  Atlanta  Campaign  until  wounded. 

WERNER,  UPTON  S. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Corporal,  March  5,  1865.  Mustered  out 
with  Company, 

WHITMAN,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  13,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  the  Company.  Died  at  Tiffin.  O., 
March  4,  1878. 

WISE,  LEVI — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862.  Mus- 
tered out  with  the  Company. 

WEITZ,  LAWRENCE — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  the  Company. 


ROSTER.  453 

WEISBECKKR,  VALENTINE — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12, 

1862.  Wounded  and  captured  in  the  Battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga,  September  20,  1862.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 
Died  at  Carey,  O. 

WAGAMAN,  DANIEL — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  18,  1862. 
Mortally  wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  Sep- 
tember 19,  1863.  Died,  September  21,  1863,  in  hands 
of  the  enemy. 

WOOD,  GEORGE  W. —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  9,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Fourth  Sergeant.  Promoted  to  First  Ser- 
geant, June  30,  1864.  Wounded  in  the  leg  in  the  Battle 
of  Jonesboro',  September  i,  1864.  Killed  in  the  Battle 
of  Franklin,  November  30,  1864. 

WILSON,  JOSEPH  C. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  9,  1862. 
Died  at  Murfreesboro',  Tenn.,  May  2,  1863,  of  disease. 

WEIRICK,  SAMUEL  T. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1863. 
Discharged,  January  22,  1863,  at  Nashville,  on  account 
of  disability. 

WATSON  JOHN  McK. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Discharged,  December  12,  1862,  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  on 
account  of  disability. 

WHITEMAN,    DANIEL — Enrolled   at   Tiffin,    December   28, 

1863.  Transferred  to  Company  F,  5ist  O.  V.  I.,  June 
10,  1865.     Died  at  White  Pigeon,  Mich. 

YINGST,  CONRAD  S. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  9,  1862. 
Discharged,  September — ,  1864,  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  on 
account  of  disability.  Died  at  Tiffin,  October  26,  1879. 

ZINT,  BERGERT — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Company  H,  8th  Regiment,  Veteran  Re- 
serve Corps,  February  15,  1864.  Mustered  out,  July  2, 
1865,  at  Chicago,  111. 


COMPANY   K. 

CAPTAIN  MONTGOMERY  NOBLE — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  Au- 
gust 16,  1862.  Mustered  as  Captain.  Resigned,  May 
30,  1863.  Deceased. 


454  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST  OHIO. 

CAPTAIN  MILTON  N.  EBERSOLE — Enrolled  August  2,  1862. 
Mustered  as  First  Lieutenant,  August  30,  1862.  Pro- 
moted to  Captain,  January  21,1 863.  Wounded  in  charge 
at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  27,  1864.  Died  of  wounds 
at  Chattanooga,  July  12,  1864. 

CAPTAIN  JAMES  M.  ROBERTS — Enrolled  at  Bucyrus,  August 
15,  1862.  Color  Bearer  at  Battles  of  Perry ville  and 
Stone's  River.  Promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant,  Decem- 
ber 31,  1862;  to  First  Lieutenant,  March  19,  1864;  to 
Captain  and  assigned  to  Company  K,  February  10,  1865, 
Died  at  Anaheim,  Cal.,  May  7,  1886. 

LIEUTENANT  PHILIP  F.  CLINE — Enrolled  at  Monroe- 
ville,  August  2,  1862.  Mustered  as  Second  Lieuten- 
ant at  Monroeville,  August  30,  1862.  Promoted  to  First 
Lieutenant  at  Murfreesboro',  Tenn.,  January  21,  1863. 
Resigned,  December  3,  1863. 

LIEUTENANT  JOHN  G.  PETTICORD — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  Au- 
gust 13,  1862.  Promoted  to  Sergeant,  January  22,  1863; 
to  First  Sergeant,  April  i,  1863;  to  Second  Lieutenant, 
to  date  February  6,  1863;  to  First  Lieutenant,  March  19, 
1864.  Wounded  at  Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863. 
Resigned,  September  28,  1864. 

LIEUTENANT  WILLIAM  R.  DAVIS — See  Non-Commissioned 
Staff. 


ALSPAUGH,  GEORGE  W. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  May  3, 
1864.  Transferred  to  Company  A,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry,  June  10,  1865.  Detailed  for  pioneer  work  for 
some  months.  Mustered  out  at  Victoria,  Texas,  October 
3>  1865. 

ALSPAUGH,  MICHAEL — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  22,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Louisville,  April  10,  1865,  on  account  of 
disability. 

ASH,  EDMUND  R. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  14,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Murfreesboro 'w  June  14,  1863,  on  account 
of  disability.  Musician. 

ASH,  VALENTINE  W. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  16,  1862. 
Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  February  n,  1863,  of  disease. 


ROSTER.  455 

ARMSTRONG,  JOHN  W. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  16,  1862. 
Taken  prisoner  at  Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863. 
Mustered  out,  June  29,  1865,  at  Camp  Chase,  O. 

BLOSSER,  SAMUEL — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August,  12,  1862. 
Transferred  to  i39th  Company,  2nd  Battalion,  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps,  April  10,  1864.  Mustered  out  at  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  May  31,  1865,  on  account  of  disability. 
Deceased. 

BEATTY,  HIRAM — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  20,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Sergeant,  May  24,  1863.  Mustered  out 
with  the  Company. 

BLOSSER,  DAVID — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  12,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Sergeant.  Mustered  out  with  the  Company. 

BLOSSER,  JACOB — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  12,  1862. 
Killed  on  the  picket  line  at  Bald  Knob,  near  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  June  20,  1864,  while  advancing  the  line. 

BLOSSER,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  12,  1862. 
Wounded  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  27,  1864.  Mus- 
tered out  with  the  Company. 

BYERS,  HENRY — Enrolled  August  12,  1862.  Wounded  at 
Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862.  Mustered 
out  with  the  Company. 

BEATTY,  SYLVESTER — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  20,  1862. 
Killed  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  Dec.  31,  1862. 

BACKER,  WILLIAM  F. — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  15, 
1862.  Wounded  and  died  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy, 
after  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863. 

BELLMAN,  JAS.  W. — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  18,  1862. 
Died  of  disease  at  Murfreesboro',  March  22,  1863. 

BELLMAN,  GEO.  W. — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  13,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Murfreesboro',  Tenn.,  May  22,  1863,  on  ac- 
count of  disability.  Deceased. 

BERGER,  JACOB  H. — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  12,  1862. 
Died  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  Nov.  13,  1863,  of  disease. 

BECK,  DANIEL — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  18,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Murfreesboro',  Tenn.,  May  28,  1863,  on  ac- 
count of  disability.  Deceased. 


456  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

BEIGHTLE,  WILBUR — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  12,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Nashville,  Term.,  March  12,  1863,  on  ac- 
count of  disability.  Deceased. 

BEIGHTLE,  GEORGE  F. — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  12, 

1862.  Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  January 
15,  1864. 

COUCH,  RUFUS  B. — Enrolled   August  21,  1862.     Mustered 

out  with  the  Company. 
OLUMBUS,  L,EWIS — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,   August   n,    1862. 

Promoted   to   Corporal,   April    i,    1863.     Killed   in   the 

Battle    of    Chickamauga,   September    19,    1863.      Color 

Bearer  for  a  time. 
CRONE,    PETER — Enrolled   at   Fostoria,    August    16,    1862. 

Promoted  to   Corporal.     Discharged   at  Louisville,  Ky. 

February  n,  1863,  on  account  of  disability. 

CARTWRIGHT,  NORMAN  S. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  May  2, 
1864.  Transferred  to  Company  A,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry,  June  10,  1865. 

DERN,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  12,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  the  Company. 

DICKENS,  JOHN  W — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  12,  1862. 
Wounded  and  captured  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River, 
December  31,  1862.  In  L,ibby  Prison  fourteen  months. 
Rejoined  Regiment.  Wounded  at  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
June  27,  1864.  Mustered  out,  May  27,  1865,  at  Cincinnati. 

DIEHL,  JACOB  —  Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  18,  1862. 
Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  February  23,  1863,  of  disease. 

DILLING,  ADAM — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  13,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  oi  Chickamauga,  September  19, 

1863.  Accidentally   drowned    near    Memphis,   Tenn., 
April  27,  1865,  in  Sultana  disaster. 

DENNIS,  GEORGE  H. — Enrolled  August  14,  1862.  Wagoner. 
Discharged  at  Murfreesboro',  Tenn.,  March  9,  1863,011 
account  of  disability.  Deceased. 

DAYS,  CLARK  —  Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  14,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Murfreesboro',  Tenn.,  December  14,  1863, 
on  account  of  disability.  Deceased. 


ROSTER.  457 

DECKER,  WILLIAM  O. — Enrolled    at   Sandusky,    May    10, 

1864.  Transferred  to  Company  A,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry,  June  10,  1865. 

ETTINGER,  LEVI  J.  B. — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  18, 
1862.  Promoted  to  Corporal,  April  i,  1863.  Mustered 
out  with  the  Company. 

EVERETT,  JACOB — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  14,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  the  Company.  Deceased. 

EHRHART,  DAVID — Enrolled  August  16,  1862.  Transferred 
to  Company  K,  ist  United  States  Veteran  Volunteer 
Engineers,  August  4,  1864.  Mustered  out,  June  30,  1865. 
Deceased. 

FRY,  JEREMIAH  B. — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  n,  1862. 
Died  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  November  21,  1863,  of 
disease. 

FREESE,  AMON — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  12,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Company  H,  igth  Regiment,  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps,  March  24,  1864.  Mustered  out,  June  13, 

1865,  at  Elmira,  N.Y. 

FEBLES,  GEORGE — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  12,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  April  15,  1864. 
Musician. 

•GEORGE,  HENRY — Enrolled  August  2,  1862.  Promoted 
to  Corporal,  September  25,  1862.  Wounded  and  captured 
in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 
Prgmoted  to  Sergeant,  April  i,  1863.  Wounded  in  Battle 
of  Franklin,  Tenn.,  November  30,  1864.  Promoted  to 
First  Sergeant,  December  2,  1864.  Mustered  out  at 
Louisville,  Ky.,  May  13,  1865.  Deceased. 

HEMMING,  ALBERT — Enrolled  at  London,  August  14,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Sergeant.  Taken  prisoner  in  Battle  of 
Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862.  Compelled  to  drive 
team  from  between  lines.  Escaped  during  a  stampede 
caused  by  cavalry  charge,  and  rejoined  Regiment  at 
Stevenson,  Ala.  Sent  in  the  winter  of  186410  Ohio  on 
recruiting  service.  Assigned  to  special  service  looking 
after  deserters  and  bounty-jumpers.  Mustered  out,  June 
15,  1865,  at  Columbus,  O. 


458  STORY   OF  THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

HOOVER,  JOHN  A. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August,  14,  1862. 
Wounded  and  captured  in  the  Battle  of  Nolensville, 
Tenn.,  December  26,  1862.  Mustered  out  with  the 
Company. 

HULETT,  GEORGE  W. — Enrolled,  August  14,  1862.  Pro- 
moted to  Corporal,  November  15,  1862.  Killed  in  Battle 
of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862. 

HUGHES,  GILBERT — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  14,  1862. 
Wounded  and  captured  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  Riverr 
December  31,  1862.  Confined  in  I^ibby  Prison.  No 
record  after  April,  1863. 

HORDSOCK,  GEORGE  W. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  13, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  February  20,  1863,, 
on  account  of  disability. 

HUDSON,  THOMAS — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  21,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Murfreesboro',  Tenn.,  May  17,  1863,  on 
account  of  disability . 

HOI/LOPETER,  DAVID  F. — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  14, 
1862.  Wounded  and  captured  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's 
River,  December  31,  1862.  Escaped  during  a  cavalry 
charge.  Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  Sep- 
tember 20,  1863.  Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps, 
April  10,  1864. 

ILER,  JOSEPH  D. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  14,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Corporal.  Discharged  at  Ooltewah,  Tenn., 
April  2,  1864,  on  account  of  disability. 

KNOWI/TON,  MARK  L. — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,   August   14, 

1862.  Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  Decem- 
ber 31,  1862.     Mustered  out  with  the  Company. 

KiMMEiv,  MICHAEL — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  16,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Corporal.  Discharged  at  Nashville,  May  2, 

1863,  on  account  of  disability.     Died  at  South   Milford, 
Ind.,  of  disease. 

KEMPHER,  GEORGE  —  Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  12, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Annapolis,  Md.,  May  2,  1863. 

KREIGER,  JACOB — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  14,  1862. 
Mustered  out  with  the  Company. 


ROSTKR.  459 

LONGNECKER,  MICHAEL — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  14, 

1862.     Promoted  to  Corporal,  May  i,   1865.     Mustered 

out  with  the  Company. 
LEONARD,  JOSEPH  B. — Enrolled  at   Fostoria,    August   14, 

1862.     Promoted  to  Corporal,  May   i,    1865.     Mustered 

out  with  the  Company. 
LANEY,  LUKE  H. — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  14,    1862. 

Mustered  out  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  July  4,  1865. 
LONG,  LUKE  A. — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August   14,   1862. 

Died,    September  22,    1863,   of  wounds  received  in  the 

Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863. 
LEE,  MONROE — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  15,  1862.     See 

Non-Commissioned  Staff. 

MILLER,  ELISHA  P. — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  April  27,  1864. 
Died,  March  15,  1865,  at  Louisville,  Ky. ,  of  disease. 

MOORE,    GEORGE    D.  —  Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August   14, 

1862.  Taken  prisoner  in  the   Battle  of  Stone's  River, 
December  31,  1862.   Paroled.  No  record  after  May,  1863. 

McCLELLAN,  JOSEPH — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  15,  1862. 
Discharged,  December  26,  1862,  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky., 
on  account  of  disability. 

MOHLER,  JOHN  H. — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  15,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Cincinnati,  April  14,  1863,  on  account  of 
disability. 

MILLER,  HENRY — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  12,  1862. 
Transferred  to  i39th  Company,  2nd  Battalion,  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps,  April  10,  1864.  Mustered  out,  June  30, 
1865,  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 

MOWRY,  DAVID— Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  18,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Company  K,  ist  Regiment,  United  States 
Veteran  Volunteer  Engineers,  August  7,  1864.  Mustered 
out,  June  30,  1865. 

MARTIN,  JACOB  W. — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  14,  1862. 
Wounded  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19, 

1863.  Promoted  to  Corporal,  August  22,  1864.   Wounded 
in  the  Battle  of  Franklin,  November  30,  1864.    Mustered 
out  with  Company. 


460  STORY   OF   THK    IOIST   OHIO. 

MILLER,  EMANUEL — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  8,  1862. 

Promoted  to  Corporal,  December  2,  1864.     Mustered  out 

with  Company. 
NEDERHOUSER,  JOHN  J. — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  14, 

1862.     Mustered  out  with  the  Company. 
NORTON,  CYRUS  G. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 

Mustered  as  Corporal.  On  detached  service  at  Louisville, 

Ky.     Mustered  out  with  Company. 
NEWHOUSE,  DAVID  K. — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  18, 

1862.      Wounded   at   Knob    Gap,   December  26,    1862. 

Ordered  to  the  Hospital,  but  rejoined  Regiment  in  front 

of   the  enemy  at  Stone's  River,   and  was  killed — shot 

through  the  head,  in  battle,  December  31,  1862. 

NICKOLAS,  JEREMIAH  —  Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  13, 
1862.  Wounded  and  captured  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's 
River,  December  31,  1862.  Died  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn., 
November  25,  1863,  of  wounds  received  in  the  Battle  of 
Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863. 

NEIKIRK,  SAMUEL — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  15,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  April  12,  1863,  on  ac- 
count of  disability. 

NORTON,  JAMES  A. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  16,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Sergeant.  Discharged  at  L/ouisville,  Ky., 
October  13,  1864,  to  date  October  6,  1864,  to  accept  ap- 
pointment as  First  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant  in  i23rd 
United  States  Colored  Infantry.  Mustered  out,  October 
16,  1865. 

ORWIG,  JAMES  S. — Enrolled,  August  13,  1862.  Discharged 
at  Murfreesboro',  Term.,  May  15,  1863,  on  account  of 
disability.  Deceased. 

PARKHURST,  MOSES  —  Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  12, 
1862.  Mustered  as  Corporal.  Killed  in  the  Battle  of 
Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862.  Mortally  wounded 
and  died  a  few  hours  later  on  the  field  where  he  fell. 

POWELL,  JOHN  P. — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  Janua^  20,  1864. 
Transferred  to  Company  F,  5ist  Ohio  Volunteer  Infan- 
try, June  10,  1865.  Mustered  out,  June  13,  1865,  at 
Nashville. 


ROSTER.  461 

POWELL,  JOSEPH — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  16,  1862. 
Captured  in  the  Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31, 

1862,  but  was  left  at  Murfreesboro'  when  the   rebels  re- 
treated.    Promoted  to  Corporal,  August  22,  1864.     Died 
at   Nashville,    Tenn.,   January  14,  1865,  of  wounds   re- 
ceived in  Battle  of  Nashville. 

REESE,  JOSEPH — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  13,  1862. 
Wounded  in  right  forearm  at  Kingston,  Ga.,  May  19, 

1864.  Mustered  out,  July  i,  1865,  at  Cairo,  111. 

REESE,  GIDEON  H. — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  15,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  November  20,  1863,  on 
account  of  disability.  Died  at  his  home,  Kansas,  O., 
April  12,  1 88 1. 

REESE,  GEORGE  W. — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  13,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  September  i, 

1863.  Mustered  out,  1865. 

SHUMAN,  THOMAS  G. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  13,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Corporal,  December  2,  1864.  Mustered  out 
with  Company. 

SHUMAN,  AMOS  C. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  n,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Corporal,  May  5,  1865.  Mustered  out  with 
the  Company.  Died  at  his  father's  home,  near  Kansas, 
Ohio,  February  3,  1868. 

SHUMAN,  WILLIAM  F. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  13,  1862. 
Detailed  as  Bugler.  Mustered  out  with  Company. 

SOLOMON,  ISAIAH  N. — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August   16, 

1862.     Wounded  at  Rocky  Face   Ridge,  May  n,  1864. 

Promoted  to  Corporal,  May  i,  1865.     Mustered  out  with 

Company. 
SPROUT,  SAMUEL — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  15,  1862. 

Mustered  out  with  Company. 
SHUMAN,  JOHN — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  13,  1862.     See 

Non-Commissioned  Staff. 

SHOUP,  JOHN  H.  —  Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  20,  1862. 
Transferred  to  i54th  Company,  2nd  Battalion,  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps,  April  30,  1864.  Mustered  out,  June  30, 

1865,  at  Nashville,  Tenn.     Died  in  1885. 


462  STORY   OF   THE    IOIST   OHIO. 

SAUM,  SOLOMON — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  14,  1862. 
Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  November  n, 
1863. 

STRAYER,  SAMUEL  —  Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  14, 
1862.  Mustered  as  Sergeant.  Taken  prisoner  in  the 
Battle  of  Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862.  Died  in  the 
hands  of  the  enemy  at  Atlanta,  January  9,  1863.  Pro- 
moted to  Second  Lieutenant,  January  21,  1863,  before 
notice  of  death  was  received. 

STEVENS,  THOMAS — Enrolled  at  Sandusky,  August  2, 
1862.  Mustered  as  Sergeant.  Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn., 
January  22,  1863,  of  disease. 

STEWART,  SAMUEL  H. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  13,  1862. 
Died  of  typhoid  fever,  at  Edge  field,  Tenn. ,  November  25, 
1862.  Stewart  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Bettsville,  is  named  in 
honor  of  this  excellent  man. 

SMITH,  ALEXANDER — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  12,  1862. 
Died  of  disease,  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  December  8,  1862. 

SMITH,  JACOB  —  Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  14,  1862. 
Taken  prisoner  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September 
19,  1863,  and  died  in  prison  at  Richmond,  Va.,  February 
17,  1864. 

SHUMAKER,  MICHAEL  W. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  13, 
1862.  Died  at  Cincinnati,  October  7,  1862,  of  disease. 

SECKMAN,  JESSE  D. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  15,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Corporal.  Died  of  typhoid  fever,  at  Mur- 
freesboro',  Tenn.,  February  26,  1863.  Remains  brought 
home  and  interred  on  the  old  farm. 

SHRINER,  JOHN  H. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  15,  1862. 
Taken  prisoner  in  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  September 
19,  1863.  Died  in  Andersonville  Prison,  August  u, 
1864. 

SCHAULL,  GEORGE  W.— Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  22,  1862. 
Mustered  as  Corporal.  Discharged  at  Louisville,  Ky., 
December  26,  1862,  on  account  of  disability. 

SLAYMAKER,  RUFUS  H. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  14, 
1862.  Wounded  in  the  right  thigh  in  the  Battle  of 
Perry ville;  also  wounded  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga. 


ROSTER.  463 

Mustered   out    at    Nashville,  Term.,   May  18,    1865,    on 
account     of    wounds.       First    man     in    the    Regiment 
wounded  by  the  enemy. 
STEWARD,  WILLIAM  H. — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  12, 

1862.  Discharged  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  March  14,  1863, 
on  account  of  disability, 

STRAUSBAUGH,  WILLIAM  G. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August 
13,  1862.  Discharged  at  Bridgeport,  Ala.,  December  13, 

1863.  on  account  of  disability. 

VALENTINE,  JOHN  W. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  14,  1862. 
Died  at  Murfreesboro',  Tenn.,  February  n,  1863,  of 
disease. 

WEIKERT,  GEORGE  W. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  15, 
1862.  Wounded  and  taken  prisoner  in  the  Battle  of 
Stone's  River,  December  31,  1862.  Promoted  to  Cor- 
poral, November  15,  1862;  to  Sergeant,  December  2, 

1864.  Mustered  out  with  the  Company.     Deceased. 
WARNER,  SYLVESTER — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,   August  22, 

1862.  Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  January  29,  1863,  of 
disease. 

WELLS,  WILLIAM — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  18,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  February  14,  1863,  on  ac- 
count of  disability. 

WONDERLY,  JOSEPH  W. — Enrolled  at  Fostoria,  August  18, 
1862.  Transferred  to  Company  K,  ist  Regiment,  United 
States  Veteran  Volunteer  Engineers,  August  7,  1864. 
Mustered  out,  June  30,  1865.  Deceased. 

VENTER,  JOHN  H. — Enrolled  at  Tiffin,  August  20,  1862. 
Discharged  on  account  of  disability,  at  Nashville,  Tenn., 
May  30,  1863.  Mustered  in  as  John  H.  Bentzer.  Trans- 
ferred to  Company  E,  as  Musician. 


WORN  OUT  IN  THE  SERVICE. 


o 


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